+Bekandian Posted March 19, 2005 Share Posted March 19, 2005 It would seem that the holy grail of cache setters is one step further: Replicator Given the right specs I expect you could make ammo boxes too Quote Link to comment
+Bill D (wwh) Posted March 19, 2005 Share Posted March 19, 2005 It sounds like something straight out of Star Trek! Will the transporter be next? - "Beam me to the next cache, Scotty"... Quote Link to comment
+-Phoenix- Posted March 19, 2005 Share Posted March 19, 2005 Not so, rapid prototyping is very much a reality, and its little more complex than a printer in operation. Given the current state of the technology its not unbelieveable that RP units will become commonplace if not a household object, since this idea is about as concievable as a computer in every home was in the 1970s Quote Link to comment
+Belplasca Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 The only problem is that - even when you have the machine, you'll still have to buy the "software" - i.e. the blueprints for the household objects... What's the betting that Tupperware will sell the blueprint for about the price of the original box? And then, the raw materials will work out to about the cost of a box as well? Who knows? But I bet there's no such thing as a free lunchbox! Bob Aldridge Quote Link to comment
+wildlifewriter Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 Who knows? But I bet there's no such thing as a free lunchbox! Nice one! Quote Link to comment
NickPick Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 I'm worried about this...A machine that re-produces? What happens when it runs out of space and decides that humans are in its way? It's definitely another pre-cursor to the Rise Of The Machines.. Thay'll be enslaving us soon! Quote Link to comment
+-Phoenix- Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 The only problem is that - even when you have the machine, you'll still have to buy the "software" - i.e. the blueprints for the household objects... What's the betting that Tupperware will sell the blueprint for about the price of the original box? And then, the raw materials will work out to about the cost of a box as well? Who knows? But I bet there's no such thing as a free lunchbox! Bob Aldridge Actually this isnt a problem, the 'software' is just about any solid model CAD package, which are becomming more and more commonplace, and a lot cheaper. though I dare say that when these first become a household object you will find that they will be bundled in such a way that you will need to buy the designs. The combination of RP and solid CAD is truly awesome, and surprisingly accessible, in many ways Ive found it easier to teach people how to do Solids CAD over 2D CAD Quote Link to comment
+-Phoenix- Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 I'm worried about this...A machine that re-produces? What happens when it runs out of space and decides that humans are in its way? It's definitely another pre-cursor to the Rise Of The Machines.. Thay'll be enslaving us soon! Reproducing itself isnt a concern, its being able to think and reason for itself that will be a danger, anyone who has done computer programming will now how computers can come up with surprising results when you least expect it. The best reference for this line of thought is as always Issac Azimov, if we were able to build artificial inteligence into a machine then there would have to be a 'three laws' type interrupt hardwired into the 'brain' in order to protect us from our creations Quote Link to comment
+JohnE5 Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Last post was 5 years ago and here I am just learning about this! Quote Link to comment
+JohnE5 Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 The reason I found this post is because I wanted to see if anyone else used "prototyping" here in the forums. Reason being, I am raising the funds for a desktop 3D printer on kickstarter.com it has some interesting implications for geocaching. Please visit my listing! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/johnecker/reprap-diy-3d-printing-in-your-home/widget/video.html My link Quote Link to comment
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