Open Source Manufacturing Tools

Selection by Eric Hunting. Not all tools are open source, but all are meant to be used for distributed manufacturing on a decentralized scale.

There is a comprehensive directory of open hardware and product tinkering projects available via our Product Hacking list.

Open Source Tools

1. RepRap - The first open source fabber, first to self-replicate - http://reprap.org/bin/view/Main/WebHome
2. Fab@Home - Second open source fabber - http://fabathome.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page
3. BugLabs Platform - Open Source software based (but not hardware) modular electronics platform for personal gadgets - http://buglabs.net/

Under development:

1. Hextatic - Open CNC machine design based on hexapod/Stewart platform structure. Under development, not yet prototyped - http://fennetic.net/machines/hextatic
2. NIST RoboCrane - Relatively simple cable-based Stewart platform system built with T-Slot and suited to numerous very large area machine and robot applications such as extremely large scale CNC. Not intended to be open source technology, but, as a publicly funded research project, potentially readily acquired for such projects and another good example of T-Slot based tool design - http://www.isd.mel.nist.gov/projects/robocrane/

Commercial Tools

Commercial Tools: (obviously, this cannot cover all such tools. I'm focussing on a selection of the more advanced tools like that of the Fab Labs that are potentially leveraging independent production)

Multi-Tools

(reconfigurable machine tools based on modular components):

Unimat-1 - 6 in 1 modular miniature machine tool based on a T-Slot structure. The most advanced model is suited to light metals and potentially adaptable into a CNC platform. A good example of using T-Slot for the design of small tool systems. http://www.unimat-1.com/

Sign/Vinyl Cutters:

Laser Cutter/Engravers:

Hydrocutters:

Multi-Axis Milling Machines:

Sherline - Line of small adaptable table-top lathes and milling machines with CNC options. http://www.sherline.com/index.html

CNC Machines

Torchmate - Line of table-based CNC platforms based on T-Slot chassis for DIY assembly. Can employ router and plasma cutter heads. Good example of T-Slot use for large scale machine tool designs. http://www.torchmate.com/

Flat Bed Printers:

Rapid Prototyping Systems/3D Printers:

Z Corp 3D Printers - Leading line of rapid prototyping systems with full color capability - http://www.zcorp.com/

3D Scanners:

Extruders:

Design/Engineering Tools

Physical Design, CAD/Visualization, Simulation/Analysis:

SketchUp - Free basic 3D modeling package sponsored by Google. Available for Mac and PC platforms. Compatible with 3Dconnexxion space mouse devices. http://sketchup.google.com/

Plumbing/Hydraulics/Pneumatics/Pneudraulics, fluid/pneumatic circuit design :

Circuit Design, PCB-CAD, SPICE, VHDL, ETL, RTL

Phonics, optics simulation:

Software, platforms, languages, editors, APIs:

(there should be a lot of Linux related links for this section)

Fabrication Technologies

(Here we have a breakdown of fabrication technologies which would be used to categorize specific links and references. I am making here the distinction here between fabrication -the creation of largely monolithic objects- and building or construction -the assembly of an artifact from parts)

Spinning/Weaving

Felting:

Spinning, hand, machine:

Spinneret Extrusion:

Looms, hand, machine, digital:

Knitting, hand, machine, digital:

Embroidery:

Tanning/Leatherworking:

Papermaking

Parchment:

Vellum:

Pulp Paper:

Synthetic:

Bookbinding

Hard Cover:

Soft Cover:

Sculpting

Hand Sculpting:

Papier Mache:

Origami:

Potterywork

Hand Forming:

Coiling:

Throwing (wheel pottery):

Jiggering (wheel lathing):

Glassmaking

Blown:

Free-Form:

Crown:

Cylinder:

Blown formed:

Lampworking:

Caneworking:

Cast:

Pressed:

Rolled:

Float Glass:

Carving/Grinding:

Wood/Stone/Crystal:

Smelting:

Machining

Breaks, Benders:

Die-Cutters:

Milling (drills, saws, grinders, sanders, routers, lathes, multi-axis milling):

CNC

Flat-Bed Routers:

Sign Cutters:

Hydrocutters:

Laser Cutters, Drills, Engravers:

Forming

Hammer Shaping/Blacksmithing:

Presses/Stampers:

Casting/Molding:

Investment Casting:

Die Casting:

Embeddment/Suspension Casting:

Compression Molding:

Thermoforming:

Vacuum Forming:

Blow-Molding:

Injection Molding:

Rotomolding:

Laminating:

Extrusion:

Surfacing:

Painting:

Etching, Relief Carving:

Tiling, Mosaic, Inlay:

Decoupage:

Lithography/Printing

Traditional:

Plate (fixed and rotary):

Photolithography:

Xerography:

Digital Xerography:

Digital Impact:

Thermal Print:

Thermojet (inkjet):

Beam (electron, ion):

Laser Engraving, 3D Engraving:

Laser Bonding:

Fabbing/Rapid Prototyping/Stereo Lithography/3D Printing

Culturing:

Trained and Pleached Wood/Bamboo Structures:

Modular Building Systems

(here I've put in some descriptions from my work on the T-slot Sourcebook. This is an example of how the fabrication and engineering sections would be fleshed-out)

See Modular Building Systems for details

Non-Modular Building Systems

See Non-Modular Building Systems

Engineering

Engineering:

Chemical: Inorganic: Organic: Biochemical: Mechanical:

Hydrodynamics/Aerodynamics:

Plumbing/Sewerage:

Pneudraulics:

Electrical:

Heating/Cooling/HVAC:

Electronics/Radio:

Computers/Networking/Telecommunications:

Software:

Photonics/Optics: Fiber Optics: Lasers:

Energy

Combustion Engine Systems: Rankin Cycle Systems: Solar-Dynamic: Photovolatic: Heliostat Lighting Systems: Wind: Hydro: Marine: Geothermal: Biofuels: Cogeneration: Energy Storage/Transport: Battery: Redox: Hydrogen: Hydrides:

Biotechnology

Selective Breeding/Culturing: Cell/Tissue Culturing: Industrial Bioreactors:

Waste/Recycling

Waste To Feedstock Reduction: Design For Reuse: Upcycling: Waste To Energy Conversion:

Nanotechnology

Chemosynthesis: Protein Systems: Statistical Assembly/Sequencers/Mixer Plants: Mechanosynthesis: Desktop ATM Systems/NanoLathes: Biosynthesis:

Agricultural Techniques

Conventional:

Organic:

Container Farming:

Hydroponics:

Living Machine Systems: Air: Plant Air Purifiers: Water: Graywater Systems: Sewerage Systems: Natural Swimming Pools: Abatement Barges/Floats: CELSS (closed environment life support systems): Drip Irrigation: Flood/Drain: NFT: Aeroponics: Semi-Permeable Pressurized Grow-Structures: Curtain Systems: Raft/Trough Systems: Rotating/Moving Frame Systems:

Cold-Bed Farming:

Permaculture:

Terra Preta:

Mariculture:

Mono-Species: Pen: Tank: Containerized: Frame:

Poly-Species:

Deep Water Fed Poly-Species:

Free-Range Fish Farming:

Algaeculture: Trough: Tank: Solar Panel: Flex Tube or Curtain:

Animal Husbandry:

More Information

1. Open Source Manufacturing Bibliography