Distributed Manufacturing
Items are manufactured locally using local raw materials. A very large array of items could be manufactured in the local hub. The size of the hub will keep on changing as well as its capacity. Ultimately a single machine should be able to handle just about everything.
One of the key concepts is that the factory should be as much internally built as possible. Also all manufacturing occurs in local communities.
CM is Custom Manufacturing using Computer Manufacturing. In this version anyone in the local community can go online download a model and have it built on a Distributed Manufacturing plant locally they can change all parameters to make it fit their needs.
As for the models some people believe only in Open Source, I personally like Open Source, but I also see it as unsustainable. So I believe more in Crypto based exchange where people use crypto-currencies to buy as well as sell their designs as well as products and raw materials.
The Concept
We have a 3d model on the computer. The goal is to have it assembled into a end product. All of the parts are made using computerized manufacturing techniques.The 3d robot assembles the system for you and you have the end part.
However there are many many more details. First and foremost is the reprap concept which is inherent in our system and a very powerful concept. All of the machines involved in the process must adhere as entirely to the raprep principle as per the description defined here.
Finally here is the process
idea -> Modeling -> host -> firmware -> electronics -> mechanics (part production) -> mechanics (3D Robot) -> real life
The goal of 3D Robot is to make all of these process happen.
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We make this happen using 3D builders that make objects using CM (computerized manufacturing) techniques and assemble them using a 3D Robot. We then offer fully customizable systems to end users who know little about modeling and let them just choose options and get the model they want.
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All 3D Builders and 3D Robots are also systems and hence can be made on other 3D Builders and 3D Robots hence making them raprep (rapid replicating, not to be confused with reprap which is the original idea and is a replicating rapid prototyper, see the difference here).
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The potential of such a system is incredible starting from super large structures to robot colonies in outer space to very cheap almost free products everywhere around the world.
The three most important things to focus on in the long run are:
1. Robotics (this is the main one and is the goal of this project)
2. Transportation (making the best transport system using robots will allow us to accomplish more with the robots)
3. Habitats (ultimately we humans have to live in a set of conditions so lets make these conditions using the robots)
However getting back down to earth this allows to create any of the given structures with custom parameters as you set them at a cheap price.
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Problems
The reason why this project is called raprep and not reprap is because this project is ultimately meant to be focusing on self replication and not perfect rapid prototyping.
The way the math works even if there is one black box in the robot that is not replicable even if it is producible by traditional means it will quickly bottle neck (the microprocessor is the black box even if we get 3,000 per day and double each day
2^30 >> 3,000*30).
Therefore working on perfecting 3D Robot and 3D Builder to be able to do everything it is made of is of great importance as well as getting a raprepitable electronics board (will require work).
The hardest part of this project will be trying to make truly raprepitable microprocessors but I do believe it is possible and will be done perhaps even in this project.
However in the mean time this should not be a hurtle and hold the project up. The rest can go ahead and the robots as well as the systems can be created using off the shelve parts with the end goal to eventually be completely raprep.
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