Method of assembly

Self assembly

Radical Abundance: "Let parts move at random and require each part to encounter and bind to its own special place"

If you haven't heard about self assembly yet please consult wikipedia.
Since nano-biology uses self assembly extensively today (in the molecular sciences) self assembly is perceived as natural in the nanoscale although its very alien at the makroscale. [todo: add link to video]

advantages

• putting things together requires no machinery

disadvantages

• all pieces in a complex non-periodic structure need to have unique shapes like in a puzzle which makes the pieces bigger
• all bonds need to be weak such that wrong matches open up again
• finished pieces necessarily have irregular seams

These issues make design difficult. (folded polymeric chains)

Stereotactic control

Radical Abundance: "the ability to guide molecular assembly by guiding molecular motions ... move parts into place and put them together"

The common sense method of putting things by pick and place together e.g. sticking sleeves on axles.

disadvantages

• putting things together requires advanced machinery

advantages

• all pieces in a complex non-periodic structure can have identical shape and minimal size.
• all bonds can be as strong as possible
• finished pieces can have maximally smooth seams