# Summary of #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion (August 22, 2009)

• Matt Moses shared a printable motor design on Thingiverse (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:802), along with experimental solenoid casting techniques, representing progress in self-replicating robotics.

• The RepRap project developed a working metal extruder (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:920), though participants noted it still requires neodymium magnets from China.

• Participants discussed self-replicating machine research, sharing papers on robotic self-replication (https://custer.lcsr.jhu.edu/Publications#Robotic_Self-Replication) and process loop closure (http://www.roboticsproceedings.org/rss05/p16.pdf).

• A computer-controlled LEGO car factory was shared (http://vita.bu.edu/cgc/newlego/index.html), demonstrating automated manufacturing principles at a small scale.

• Saul Griffith's thesis "Growing Machines" and his "Tools to Make Almost Anything" guide were discussed and later added to the SKDB repository as a YAML file for tracking fabrication tools and their costs.

• Participants shared resources on self-assembly, kinematic self-replicating machines, and personal fabrication, with links to books and papers on these topics.

• The group discussed technical aspects of the SKDB project, including repository size issues, Python libraries (pythonOCC), and updates to the project's TODO list.