Seed Factories

Like any factory, it makes useful end products. But part of the output can be used to make more equipment for the factory itself. In that case total capacity can grow exponentially. The "Seed" is a starter set of equipment designed to grow in three ways:

• Replication - making copies of their own parts so as to eventually copy the entire set.
• Diversification - making parts for new equipment, thus expanding the range of possible outputs.
• Scaling - making parts for larger (or smaller)equipment than what is in the starter set.

The factory is also designed as an integrated system. It brings together multiple production steps from raw materials and energy to finished items. Each part of the factory produces resources needed by the other parts to function, making it self-sustaining. If these parts are all in one place, the whole production chain can take advantage of automation and robotics. Integrated processes can also take waste outputs from one step, and use them as inputs for another. The combination results in a highly efficient design.

As the factory expands, it can produce a growing variety of products for end users. As it diversifies it can also make an increasing percentage of parts for its own growth. The small size and relative simplicity of the starter kit makes it low cost, while the much larger capacity it evolves to can produce a high income. Combined with the low operating cost from integrated processes and automation, this type of system should be very desirable on an economic basis.