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RepRap: The Replicating Rapid Prototyper: Maximizing Customizability by Breeding the Means of Production

In: Handbook of Research in Mass Customization and Personalization (In 2 Volumes)

Author

Listed:
  • Ed Sells

    (Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Bath, United Kingdom)

  • Sebastien Bailard

    (Supermeta Fabrication, Canada)

  • Zach Smith

    (RepRap Research Foundation, USA)

  • Adrian Bowyer

    (Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Bath, United Kingdom)

  • Vik Olliver

    (Diamond Age Solutions Ltd., New Zealand)

Abstract

This paper describes progress on RepRap, the replicating rapid prototyper. RepRap is a filament-deposition rapid prototyping machine that has been designed to manufacture the majority of its own parts. All other parts of the machine are standard materials and components available everywhere in the world. RepRap is intended to maximize the customizability of both the products that it makes and also itself. It achieves this by several complementary mechanisms: it is intended for individual (as well as industrial) use, so its users may employ it to manufacture whatever they want; it can make copies of itself, and those copies can be customized; it is extremely low cost, and so ownership can be widespread; and finally it is open-source, so all its designs and software are available for modification. Prototype RepRap machines have been built and are described. These have made parts for themselves and each other, and this is depicted. The design principles and specifications of the machine are given. The paper concludes with a discussion of the possible impacts that the machine may have on personal manufacturing and product customization.

Suggested Citation

  • Ed Sells & Sebastien Bailard & Zach Smith & Adrian Bowyer & Vik Olliver, 2009. "RepRap: The Replicating Rapid Prototyper: Maximizing Customizability by Breeding the Means of Production," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Frank T Piller & Mitchell M Tseng (ed.), Handbook of Research in Mass Customization and Personalization (In 2 Volumes), chapter 28, pages 568-580, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:wschap:9789814280280_0028
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Joshua Pearce, 2018. "Sponsored Libre Research Agreements to Create Free and Open Source Software and Hardware," Post-Print hal-02111369, HAL.
    2. repec:lib:0000of:v:1:y:2015:i:1:p:19-35 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Fassio, Claudio & Grilli, Luca, 2016. "From technological to symbolic innovation? Open source, Maker Movement and global demand for 3D printers," Papers in Innovation Studies 2016/7, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.
    4. repec:lib:0000of:v:1:y:2014:i:1:p:19-35 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. repec:lib:000cis:v:2:y:2014:i:1:p:18-27 is not listed on IDEAS

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