a 3D printer can replicate all of its own parts, it still requires human labor to put those parts together
into another 3D printer
Certainly. A true macroscopic replicator would also require robotic parts capable of assembling both the printer and the robotic parts, and a printer capable of printing printer parts as well as robotic parts.
Drexler assumes that the parts in his nanomachines would just automatically self-assemble to
minimize potential energy
I grant that this seems implausible, especially for non-biological “mechanical” parts.
Certainly. A true macroscopic replicator would also require robotic parts capable of assembling both the printer and the robotic parts, and a printer capable of printing printer parts as well as robotic parts.
I grant that this seems implausible, especially for non-biological “mechanical” parts.