19-09-2017, 04:48 PM
The RepRap project started in England in 2005 as an initiative of the University of Bath to develop a low-cost 3D printer that can print most of its own components but is now made up of hundreds of contributors around the world. RepRap is the abbreviation for rapid prototyper replication. As an open design, all designs produced by the project are released under a free software license, the GNU General Public License.
Due to the machine's ability to make some of its own parts, the authors envisioned the possibility of cheap RepRap units, allowing the manufacture of complex products without the need for an extensive industrial infrastructure. They wanted the RepRap to demonstrate the evolution in this process, as well as to increase in number exponentially. A preliminary study stated that using RepRaps to print common products results in economic savings.
Due to the machine's ability to make some of its own parts, the authors envisioned the possibility of cheap RepRap units, allowing the manufacture of complex products without the need for an extensive industrial infrastructure. They wanted the RepRap to demonstrate the evolution in this process, as well as to increase in number exponentially. A preliminary study stated that using RepRaps to print common products results in economic savings.