When will 3D printers make 3D printers?
Mini
12
Ṁ645
2070
2,037
expected

Resolves when a printed printer manufactures a working printer. This is similar to the Reprap project, but must use only printed circuitry.

Details:

  • Human assembly of printed components is acceptable

  • Can involve multiple printed machines in the same location, so long as the set of machines can duplicate itself

  • Raw material inputs like these are acceptable:

    • ABS or similar plastic filament

    • Various metals & powders

    • Insulated copper or fiber optic wire bought in bulk

    • Other unspecialized components of similarly low price

  • Moderate degradation of performance or reliability in the output copy is acceptable if the system is still somewhat usable.

  • These must basically be 3D printers, ie: it must be possible to use these printers to make other similar output items, using materials like metal & plastic.

Spirit of the question:

  • When can a person run a 'printer farm'?

  • When can they use their printer inventory to make more printers?

  • When is this technology first demonstrated?

  • These printers will be roughly the same size, material composition, & degree of complexity as modern 3D printers.

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About 4billion years ago.

@ConnorDolan Ha, i see what you're saying. I should edit the description to exclude living organisms from this.

@CommanderZander Up to you =p