While we are not completely there yet, we are getting closer every day, thanks to innovators like a man named Benjamin Engel. Engel, who has teamed with his father to try to create the most self-replicating 3D printer yet, has made some rather significant advancements with his upcoming Dollo 3D printer.
“This idea came from when I was in high school,” Engel tells 3DPrint.com. “Every time you tell someone you have a 3D printer, they always ask the same question: ‘Can you print a 3D printer?’. That question wasn’t easy to answer because, yes, the Reprap project had printed parts, but it was still mostly metal parts. So with the help of my dad, we came up with a modular, scalable, and printable 3D printer; just like the Reprap project originally intended.”
On top of this, a single Dollo 3D printer has the ability to 3D print another printer in about 18 hours, using a 0.6mm nozzle to increase production speed and structural integrity of the parts.
“We have minimal lashing because we do everything with rack and gears, not belts,” Engel tells us. “The z axis doesn’t use threaded rods, but instead it uses a gear system on the bottom of the bed with a cork screw style thing. We think there is something magical about rapid prototyping a rapid prototyping machine. We also plan to manufacture the Dollo with the Dollo, and we think self-replicating designs could be revolutionary to the manufacturing and robotic industries.”
As for the parts that are not 3D printed, they are as follows: motors, electronics, hot end, and 16 (m2x25) screws which are used to attach motors to the printer.
The Engels also plan to offer an optional CNC router to their Kickstarter backers, which will allow the 3D printer to become a CNC machine. They are also considering making a laser cutter/engraver attachment available as well.
What do you think of the Dollo 3D Printer? Is this a machine you would pay $300 for? Discuss in the Dollo 3D Printer forum thread on 3DPB.com.