3D Printer/Fabricator

[BillDowns]

Has anyone created rules for adding these, particularly as part of the Engineer's shop? I am interested if you have, particularly for replacing or repairing damaged engineering systems.

 

[FreeTrav]

I just sorta assume they exist, with severe quality limitations:

Engineer: "Sure, I can fab the part, and it'll even get us to Ish Kabibble, but there's no way in Nifflehime that it'll pass inspection, and I wouldn't want to try to take it past Bezpowrotu."

 

[Jame]

Has anyone created rules for adding these, particularly as part of the Engineer's shop? I am interested if you have, particularly for replacing or repairing damaged engineering systems.

I believe that there's a version of this in MGT's 2300 AD. I need to dig it out for a reference anyways so I'll do for this too.

 

[BytePro]

My CT starships had fabricators ... they could 'form anything from the library' or things a skilled (Engineer +relevant expertise) user defined.

Of course, selecting/ installing/ using might require relevant skill - andraw materials were required. (Salvageable from other parts of the ship, sometimes... )

MgT has tonnage for repairs that would seem to abstract the concept (especial with short repair times for combat repairs).

 

[HG_B]

In scout (Pathfinders IMTU) & Navy ships, simple mechanical & electronic parts can be fabb'ed. Raw materials are carried in "spare parts" storage.

 

[CosmicGamer]

A 3D "printer" could be part of the engineering toolkit instead of something that needs to be added to the equipment list and purchased.

 

[SpaceBadger]

Yes, they do have these in MgT 2300AD. The intent is to be able to fabricate spare parts for repairs, without keeping huge bins of spares in the engineering section. You do have to keep feedstock for the machine.

There is also a lot of stuff about how the software has controls so that you can't use it to make parts for weapons, but that seemed pretty silly to me. Really, the software database is gonna contain specs for all sorts of weapon parts so it can recognize what it is not allowed to make? How long before that gets hacked to turn the machine into a weapon factory?

Edit: OK, here are the specs from 2300AD:

Small Fabricator: suitable for making small parts up to 15 cubic centimeters in size
(I think maybe they intended a 15x15x15 cm cube? 15cc isn't very big part for the size of the unit and feedstock consumed)
TL: 9 - Weight: 12kg - Price Lv350 - Refill Weight 0.75kg - Refill Price Lv25

Portable Fabricator: can create repair parts sized up to 100cm x 100cm x 30cm
TL: 10 - Weight 220kg - Price Lv7500 - Refill Weight 20kg - Refill Price Lv300