Replicator
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference.
- Food slot redirects here, you may also be looking for a food synthesizer.
A replicator is a device that uses transporter technology to dematerialize quantities of matter and then rematerialize that matter in another form. It is also capable of inverting its function, thus disposing leftovers and dishes and storing the bulk material again. (VOY: "Year of Hell")
Replicators are capable of producing something as fresh and tasty as non-replicated foodstuffs, inorganically materialized out of patterns used by the transporters. (TNG: "Lonely Among Us") Most people find replicated foods and drinks to taste exactly the same as "real" food, although some people claim to be able to tell the difference. Furthermore, Federation replicators are programmed to produce foodstuffs of acceptable "nutritional value". (TNG: "The Price", "Sins of the Father", "Relics"; DS9: "In the Pale Moonlight", "You Are Cordially Invited")
In addition to foodstuffs, replicators can be used for replicating machine parts, clothing (presumably including Starfleet uniforms) or other objects. Industrial replicators can even be used to replicate heavier machine parts. (TNG: "The Game"; DS9: "For the Cause")
Replicators aboard Starfleet vessels will not produce fatal poisons. (VOY: "Death Wish")
Some alien replicators, such as the ones used by the alien abductors encountered in 2366, are capable of replicating living things. (TNG: "Allegiance")
Replicators (along with transporters and force fields) are one of the technologies used in holodecks and holosuites.
[edit] History and notable uses
One of the first replicators seen by Humans was the one seen by the crew of the Enterprise when they had their ship repaired in the mysterious repair station. Until this time the most comparable technology aboard 22nd century starships were protein resequencers, which had limited capabilities compared to later technologies. (ENT: "Dead Stop"; ENT: "Fight or Flight", "Oasis")
In the 23rd century, the United Federation of Planets had not yet perfected replicator technology. Starships of this time period were equipped with food synthesizers. This was a step forward, but did not achieve the quality and sophistication of the 24th century replicator.
- The writers guide for the series Star Trek explains that food is prepared in high-speed equipment and moved to a food slot via a small turbo-lift technology, and this is also shown, with no detail, in blueprints of the ship prepared by Franz Joseph in 1974.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard beamed down to Delta Rana IV with a portable matter replicator for the Uxbridges in 2366. (TNG: "The Survivors")
As of 2367, Galaxy-class starships were equipped with a replicating center containing several replicator terminals resembling miniature transporter pads at which crew members could order items. Lieutenant Worf and Lieutenant Commander Data shopped for a wedding present for Miles and Keiko O'Brien. (TNG: "Data's Day")
The replicator played a key role in spreading the Ktarian game around the USS Enterprise-D in 2368. (TNG: "The Game")
On the Promenade of the Federation space station Deep Space 9, the Replimat provided a laid back location for inhabitants to enjoy a meal or beverage courtesy of a bank of replicators located along one of its walls. (DS9: "Emissary", et. al)
[edit] Replicators in the Delta Quadrant
After the USS Voyager was pulled to the Delta Quadrant in 2371, an energy crisis occurred several weeks into the journey back to the Alpha Quadrant, and Janeway ordered replicator usage to be rationed in order to conserve power for other key systems. These replicator rations became a type of currency amongst its crew. (VOY: "The Cloud")
- The energy crisis and replicator rations are used with some dramatic license by the writers of Star Trek: Voyager. Therefore, it is difficult to tell exactly how much power replicators used for every whim would actually cost in terms of ship's energy. Energy that could otherwise be used on replicator functions is being consumed by the holodeck during several episodes including "The Cloud" where the crisis is first noted.
Later that year, it became very clear that replicator technology was unknown to the indigenous people of the region around the Ocampan homeworld. The Kazon, in particular, repeatedly tried to obtain this technology, as did other races. Captain Janeway feared that if this technology were acquired by a civilization before they were ready, disastrous consequences could ensue. For this reason, and because of the Prime Directive, Janeway refused to give up this technology at any price. (VOY: "State of Flux")
