What is RepRap?

So, what exactly IS a RepRap?

It’s short for self-REPlicating RAPid-prototyper.

It’s an Open-Source 3D printer that is designed with an ability to print its own parts in mind(read: replicate). It is an on-going project that has garnered world-wide attention, and in its current state RepRappers around the world has been improving the design to be more efficient and cost effective. So far, about 50% of the parts can be replicated.

Of course, it can be used to print anything else, too, and is only limited by imagination. First, a 3D object file is sliced down to several layers using a software. Then, RepRap prints parts by laying down a successive layer of materials. Simple, isn’t it?

Why are we interested in partaking in this project?

Well, it was noted in previous quarter that the Foothil SEA was mostly limited not with imagination or enthusiasm, but with budgetary concerns and and supplies. Besides, we wanted something bigger and something more engineering oriented. With RepRap, we can explore the fields of Evolutionary Robotics, Fabrication and Manufacturing, Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Engineering, or simply prints parts that can be used for future projects. It’ll be a good investment for the SEA and Foothill College community.

Related Links

www.reprap.org Where it all began

http://groups.google.com/group/bay-area-reprap Bay Area RepRap group

http://forums.reprap.org/list.php?29 Bay Area RepRap forum

http://www.thingiverse.com/ RepRappable parts repository

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117099291054388532447.0004409098b1c5b712553 RepRap locations

List of Vendors

http://ultimachine.com/ The maker of RAMPS(RepRap Arduino Mega Pololu Shield) electronics based in Tennessee

http://www.mendel-parts.com/index.php Gen6 electronics and complete kit vendor based in the Netherlands

http://www.makergear.com/ A US based Complete Kit manufacturer

http://botmill.com/ Another US based Complete Kit manufacturer

http://www.emakershop.com/ RepRap community flea market/shop front

Related wiki pages

http://reprap.org/wiki/Prusa_Mendel The latest and the greatest version of RepRap, an evolution of Mendel RepRap, a child of Darwin RepRap.

http://reprap.org/wiki/Arduino_Mega_Pololu_Shield RAMPS wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing The theory behind a 3D printer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-replicating_machine The theory behind self-replicating machines

RepRap Bloggers

http://blog.reprap.org/ The main RepRap blog

http://reprapbreeding.blogspot.com/ RepRapper based in University of Washington

http://repraplogphase.blogspot.com/RepRapper based in North Carolina

http://prusadjs.cz/ The man behind the Prusa Mendel based in Czech Republic

http://planet.arcol.hu/ RepRap Blog aggregator

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5809198019 Self-explanatory..