RepLab tool list
From Open Source Ecology
| TOOL
| DESCRIPTION
| SIZE
| COST (USD)
| STATUS
|
3D printer
| Makes plastic objects from CAD files. The head is interchangeable for a small router for circuit fabrication
| 1 m3, 50 lb
| 300
| Complete! See RepRap
|
| 3D scanner
| Device for turning 3D objects into CAD files. Combined with a 3D printer, allows you to "clone" plastic objects
|
| less than 50
| Several open-source/ DIY 3D scanners exist. We need to assess their viability for RepLab. See 3D scanner
|
CNC torch table, router 
| RepTab, self-replicating torch table. A device with a digitally-controlled cutter that can shape metal, cut wood etc. Self-replicating for all structural parts. Can be used for LifeTrac parts, CEB Press parts, sheet metal cutting, etc. Can build structural parts for any number of electromechanical devices.
| 300 lb
| 1500 (for 280lb torque version)
| Prototype phase. See Torch Table. Results indicate that it can be scaled successfully to router applications with 280 lbs of moving torque by using 4 stepper motors on the x and y axis; high power router can use hydraulic motor (3000 RPM, 10-20 hp). Uses RepRap motor drivers and controls
|
Drill-mill-lathe
| Interchangeable hydraulic motor (0-650 rpm, 20 hp, $250); off-shelf chuck ($150) and off-shelf x-y table ($200); off-shelf spindle and collet ($200); true drill press – hydraulic cylinder ($100) moves spindle up and down; large motor can handle drilling up to 1.5”; mill funcionality via x-y table; CNC drive can be retrofitted onto x-y table; use RepTab motor drivers and controls
| 500 lb (welding table serves as base for added weight)
| 1100 plus CNC
| Prototype phase. Multimachine is an open-source drill-mill-lathe, but lacks CNC capability. Assess whether DIYLILCNC is appropriate for our purposes.
|
MIG welder 
| Heats inert gases to very high temperatures for welding
| 200 lb
| 400
| Partially designed. See Open Source Welder. Open source power supply still needs to be made.
|
Plasma Cutter 
|
| 50 lb
| 300
| This involves opensourcing the power supply, and using a commercial gun
|
Induction Furnace 
| Melts down scrap metal to be remolded. 20 kW, water-cooled coils; involves opensourcing the power supply; the rest is a melting container, pouring mechanism, and insulation
| 1000 lb
| 2000
| In development. See Open Source Induction Furnace Project
|
Metal casting, rolling 
| Casting involves simple molds; rolling involves high power rollers, using 20 hp hydraulic motors above; start by rolling bars from hot billet
| 1000 lb
| 2000
|
|
CNC laser cutter 
| Cuts metal very precisely with no need for finishing. Good for precision-engineering metal parts like rotor disks for the solar turbine and countless other small parts. We can use an existing control mechanism (like the one from RepRap) and attach a stationary laser. We need to build a laser from a $500 CO2 laser engraver tube of 80W; sufficient to cut ¼ inch wood and acrylic, and thin metal – perhaps up to 1/8” in a large number of passes; larger laser may be built from scratch by creating a tube at later phases of development.
| 300 lb
| 2000
| In development by Lasersaur. See Laser cutter
|
| Metal press, shear, and hole puncher
| Up to 1” holes in 1” metal; shears 3” wide 1” metal; relies on a large cylinder ($260)
| 1000 lb
| 1000
|
|
| Cold cut metal saw
| Uses existing hydraulic motor
| 100 lb
| 100 plus blade
|
|
| Computer oscilloscope
| Develop OS computer oscilloscope
| 2lb
| 50
| Pocket-sized oscilloscope,
40 MSPS oscilloscope
|
| Robotic arm
| 6 degree of freedom robotic arm for welding or other applications; use hydraulic motors ($900) with encoders
| 500 lb
| 2000
| No open-source design exists yet
|
| Spectroscope
| Microwave/X-Ray spectroscopy tool
| ?
| 700
|
|
| TOTAL
|
| 5500 lb
| $12,500
|
