OSS in hardware (was:Re: [nzlug] OSS in Nz schools)

[Vik Olliver]

On Tue, 2007-02-06 at 12:20 +1300, cr wrote:
> What isn't entirely evident from your blog is what it does.   "a
> project to create an open-source self-copying 3D printer."    "Open
> source" I get of course, it uses Linux for the control program.   The
> 'self-copying 3D printer' bit I'm not sure of - I assume it's not
> going to completely replicate and assemble copies of itself and take
> over the world like the machines in 'Terminator'?   <g>
> (After all, Linus did once say his aim was 'world domination'  :)

There's more details on http://reprap.org, but basically yes it makes
the stuff and you bolt it together. V1.0 doesn't make the PCBs, but V2.0
should.

Ed made a complete set of parts for the V1.0 alpha hardware last week in
Bath. It took the Stratasys 100 hours and used several kilos of plastic.
His predecessor prototype is now functioning and has made a shot glass
with which to toast the device. This makes 2 fully-functioning RepRap
prototypes now (I have the other one).

Getting the entire toolchain Open Source was something this LUG helped
with, so thanks guys!

Bath University is taking on some students to contribute towards the
Open Source tools used in the project. They'll probably be using Ubuntu
as the development platform. Sadly, there is no DEB package for
ArtOfIllusion or KiCad but manual installation of both is trivial. It'll
do for the moment.

Vik :v)
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Sky-diving: Good 'til the last drop.