Blueprints in my mind!

„Nihao!“

and welcome back! Today I present you the base of my idea and how all has begun.

So let’s start!

I’m a 23 years old student from Germany.  My subject is Medical informatics and Biomedical engineering.  In the moment I visit the sixth of seven semesters. Last year I took my practical semester at an “Institut für klinische Physik und Biomedizintechnik” (institute for clinical physic and biomedical engineering). During that time I discovered the fact that you have to pay a huge amount for spare parts out of plastic. Just like this knob costs around 100€ (140$). 
 

So the first thoughts began to settle down, but nothing important happens for a longer period. Until the day I read in a magazine (Business Punk, issue 02_10) about 3D printers, especially about the Makerbot from Makerbot Industries, and the whole concept of rapid prototyping. A train hit me! Why not using such a device for reproducing my spare parts? 

An idea was born!

Like a hound smelling the prey I started to gather information:

What types of 3D printers are available?

How do they work?

What do they need?

Where are the limits of printing?

After a while I stumble upon the “RepRap Wiki” and the “David” laser scanning system. But about that I will tell you in the next post.
 

So stay tuned, because:

Progress never sleeps!