U.S.S. Voyager : Replicators : Page 1

A replicator is a device that uses transporter technology to dematerialise a quantity of matter, then to rematerialize it in another form, to produce construction materials, small whole objects and, often, food. Very large replicators, such as class-4 CFI industrial replicators, could be employed for large-scale fabrication. The replicator is thereby also a recycling machine. Replicator technology is widely used among Federation peoples and many other civilisations but was not common to cultures in the Delta Quadrant such as the Kazon [State of Flux].

In [#44 Flashback] it is established that replicators were not in use aboard Federation starships in Captain Kirk's day, the 2260s, suggesting that the food slots on his ship the USS Enterprise NCC-1701, were some kind of mechanical delivery or preparation system. However, in 2151 Jonathan Archer, captain of NX-01 Enterprise on Starfleet's first deep space mission of exploration, informed a school class on Earth that they could replicate some food using their protein sequencer, and otherwise ate food grown in a hydroponics bay and prepared by the chief who could provide anything from a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to turkey with all the trimmings [Enterprise: Breaking the Ice]. At this time that Starfleet vessel had the use of primitive transporters and, given the direction of later advances, the protein sequencer may well have utilised that early transporter technology. Recent advances in transporter-based molecular synthesis have resulted in a number of significant spin-off technologies. Chief among these are transporter-based replicators. These devices permit replication of virtually any inanimate object with incredible fidelity and relatively low energy cost. (Indeed, a food replicator can be converted into a small transporter by re-aligning the replicator's matter-energy conversion matrix [DS9: Visionary].)

See also FOOD & DRINK INDEX: Is Replicated Food Vegetarian? (and other ponderings): The History of Food Synthesis And Replication

By the 24th century, replicators have become standard equipment aboard Federation starbases and starships. As regards food production, replicators provide a much wider variety of meal choices to crewmembers than would be available if actual foodstuffs had to be carried. This is because the menu selection available is limited only by computer software, and accordingly replicator databases contain a wide selection.

[#11 State of Flux]

Where separate cooking facilities exist, people can also cook for themselves using a replicator by replicating ingredients in as raw a state as they wish and then completing the meal preparation, but this is a luxury rarely possible on Voyager. The only facilities on Voyager for catering are to be found, from stardate 48532.4 [#5 Phage] onwards, in Neelix's galley. Ensign Seska stole from Neelix's kitchen in order to provide Chakotay's favourite, mushroom soup [#11 State of Flux]. Most people find replicated food indistinguishable from 'original' food, although some individuals claim to be able to tell the difference e.g. Jean-Luc Picard, when captain of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D who felt replicated caviar was not as good as the real thing, even carried a few cases of real caviar aboard his ship for special occasions [TNG: Sins of the Father].

There are two main replication systems on board USS Voyager: food replicators (or food synthesisers) and hardware replicators. The food replicators are optimised for a finer degree of resolution because of the necessity of accurately replicating the chemical composition of foodstuffs. Hardware replicators, however, are generally tuned to a lower resolution for greater energy efficiency and lower memory matrix requirements. The term "food replicator", therefore, is really a term that signifies the equipment's resolution setting and its main production use which is foodstuffs - the operating principles for hardware and food replicators are the same, and by and large the internal workings are also the same. Specially modified food replication terminals are used in Sickbay and in the Science Lab to synthesise certain pharmaceuticals and other scientific supplies. As a safety measure, starship replicators are programmed not to produce fatal poisons; because of this, when Quinn, a former Q made mortal, wanted to commit suicide he used Nogatch hemlock supplied at his request by Q [#34 Death Wish].

Industrial replicators are constructed in a variety of sizes depending on the specific application and intended location. The largest Starfleet unit to date is at Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, planet Mars, where USS Voyager was constructed. These replicator units have a delivery pad measuring 50.3 metres by 72.6 metres. The device produces large starship framing assemblies.

Drawing of Starfleet industrial replicator

USS Voyager at Utopia Planitia. The spaceframe is complete. Internal outfitting is almost complete.
[#118 Relativity]

There are replicator system headends in various locations on a number of decks throughout Voyager. The diagrams below show the location of certain replicator terminals. I conjecture that there are replicator terminals of the hardware resolution standard (although none are so marked on the master situation display) in the shuttlecraft service bay on deck 10 and in the engineering hull, and one within easy reach of sensor ops and maintenance in the primary hull. The turbolift maintenance bay may have its own replicator or might utilise one in the shuttlecraft service bay. The location of food replication terminals on Voyager is discussed elsewhere.

stern      bow
the rear part of the ship but forward of the Shuttlebay
extract from Voyager's master situation display console (located at the rear of the ship's bridge)

stern      bow
extract from Voyager's master situation display console (located at the rear of the ship's bridge)

the forward part of the primary hull
extract from Voyager's master situation display console (located at the rear of the ship's bridge)

The above diagrams and information on items labelled, e.g. "cryogenic fluid storage" and "photosynth bioprocessor", are in SHIP USS VOYAGER: Tours: interior, some interior: Diagram Tour which offers several tour options.

In [#88 Vis à Vis] Kim remarks that polyduranide can be hard to replicate.