In the DS9 episode "Move Along Home", when Bashir realizes he doesn't have a dress uniform, why doesn't he just replicate one?
The general situation of DS9 isn't like that of Voyager, and so surely power rationing could not have been the reason?
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Sign up to join this communityIn the DS9 episode "Move Along Home", when Bashir realizes he doesn't have a dress uniform, why doesn't he just replicate one?
The general situation of DS9 isn't like that of Voyager, and so surely power rationing could not have been the reason?
Since he doesn't have access to a Federation replicator in his quarters (presumably Cardassian replicators don't contain the patterns for Federation uniforms) the implication is that he didn't leave himself enough time to get to a replicator station, then get changed.
Note that in the original script, he tells Dax that his plan is to get Garak to make him one. She suggests he could just replicate one:
BASHIR: I'll have the clothier Garak make me a new one by tonight...
DAX: I'm not sure it's appropriate to have a Cardassian tailor make your Starfleet uniform, Julian... maybe the replicator...
Aside from @Richard's answer, you need authorization to replicate a uniform or weapon. The replicators have Digital Rights Management (DRM) to protect the ship and individuals, or else anyone could replicate anything they could think of.
It likely is tracked as well, because letting anyone print out as many copies as they want would be just as bad.