Mechanical mechanism for self-replication

This study presents a theoretical model for a self-replicating mechanical system inspired by biological processes within living cells and supported by computer simulations. The model breaks down self-replication into a few core components, each constructed from a small set of fundamental building blocks. Two models are proposed: one inspired by additive manufacturing techniques and the other by protein folding, both leading to similar results. Key functionalities, such as sorting, copying, building, and computing, are demonstrated. These models provide valuable insights into the constraints of self-replicating systems. This work offers a foundational framework for future research on self-replicating mechanisms and their information-processing applications.