So what is the problem to create computer components (chips, memory, etc) with robotic arms ? I guess it is not a big deal, since almost any modern chip factories are already fully automated (no one is making chips by hand nowadays).

@PacoLoco If you want to understand the problem, you should learn how to create a computer chip. Once you understand that you will understand the problem.

@hft Could you please be more specific about that ? Try to explain shortly the problems with that, if it is possible.

Machines are not generally made of arbitrary materials that just happen to match what 3D printers can use. In general they require highly specialized materials that themselves require complex industrial scale processing to make, which does not scale down. Making a CPU requires a fabrication factory, specialist materials and a worldwide supply chain to keep it all going. There's a signifcant supply problem with even basic CPUs at present because of a combination of supply chain problems.

Well, at first we can easily supply this machines with already produced chips, it is not a big deal. Later it is possible to create fully automated chip factory. Sorry, don't see any principle technical difficulties with that. It is a specific small issue.

@PacoLoco, No I won't be more specific. This is hubris on your part. Sorry.

@hft Ok, no problem. Let us know any more genuine insights on this topic later.

You're only looking at one stage for one part. You're not looking at the entire production line from mining to final product, and that production line exists for every. Single. Component. In the machine. We are talking about a vast amount of refineries, chemical plants, factories in one thing in a small space. There's a lot of steps, processes, tools, and problems involved at any one stage that you don't know or think about until you actually try and do it

3D Printers are woefully inadequate and robotic arms are woefully inadequate. I have to ask...have you ever tried to build anything at all in a shop? Or seen a woodworking or machine shop? If you have, what you saw is likely super simple. There are dozens and dozens more machines that exist that all do something slightly different but only they can do it. They are only one part in the fabrication process and all those machines and tools aren't just for show.

@DKNguyen That is not a case I guess. Robotic arms are able to manipulate as well as any human do, even better. So all the things that people are able to produce, are also available to be produced via this simple scheme.

@DKNguyen Well this scheme does not require a lot of elements. Basically, both arms (i.e. manipulators) and 3d printers consist of servomotors, wires, chips and structural mechanical elements. They all can be easily 3d printed, that's no doubt I guess. So this is not an issue here.

@PacoLoco I am really starting to think you have never built anything and just have no idea what is actually inside the machines and parts you are talking about. You talk as if robotic arms don't have extremely specialized attachments that do one thing and nothing else, and about humans arms as if shops aren't full of tools and machines. You seem to equate self-replicating machines with building civilization and technology from scratch.

Go into a forest with just your arms and try to build a chair, which doesn't even count as a machine. It's just a shaped piece of wood. And a tree itself is a self-replicating machine that you are taking advantage of. It takes materials from the surroundings and converts them into a usable form. Metal takes a lot more work. We have one example of self-replicating machines that contain all the self-contained functions necessary to build more of themselves: biological life. By comparison, our machines are very specific in function and very not-self contained in their inputs and maintenance

@DKNguyen Have you ever seen a modern automobile factory or a 3d printer at least ? Please spend some time and view some basic videos on Youtube, that will help you to become a little bit educated and argument your opinions more detailed. I guess you are trying to add some old wooden tech to modern world applications, that is not correct way to discuss it.

@PacoLoco I work in a machine shop. You just don't know how much you don't know. I at least know how much I don't know.

@DKNguyen Ok, take a look at modern industrial mass production lines in Youtube. It is quite different from machine shops nowadays, you'll see.

You may be incredibly interested in RepRap. The answer to "why hasn't this been done" is "it has been done." Or rather, they have done as much as can be done, and it is the assembly of the last few bits that show the limitations to self-assembly to date.

@PacoLoco You talk as though robotic automotive production lines are new. They've been around for at least 20 years. I've seen them. To me, they look the same now as they did then. And they still can't build themselves. You're talking about a huge, complex facility that builds a smaller, less complex thing than itself on its own which is nothing remotely like a huge facility building another huge facility.