RepLab tool list

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

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