“All human development, no matter what form it takes, must be outside the rules; otherwise we would never have anything new.” – Charles Kettering, American inventor and the holder of 186 patents.
3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that has been described as a game-changer in manufacturing and consequently, the world economy. The availability of funding has often dictated that the research and development of innovations such as 3D technology is conducted in developed countries. In the last decade or so, however, we have seen a shift in that model as more innovations are exported from Africa to the world. To zero in closer home, perhaps the most famous Kenyan “tech” exports have been MPesa, BRCK, and Ushahidi. Locally made 3D printers might be next.
AB3D is a young Kenyan company whose name is an abbreviation of “African Born 3D Printing”. Their vision is to be the one-stop-shop for all 3D printing and rapid prototyping needs; from the sale of printers and 3D printing filament, 3D printing services as well as offering training on the technology. They hope to eventually get their printers to every school in Kenya for them to be used as a teaching aid and through this create jobs, alleviate poverty as well as help clean the environment. This makes a solid case for the role of Engineering in development outside of the mainstream infrastructure and energy. Their concept effortlessly demonstrates the relation between technology, education, youth employment and environmental conservation.
3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that has been described as a game-changer in manufacturing and consequently, the world economy. The availability of funding has often dictated that the research and development of innovations such as 3D technology is conducted in developed countries. In the last decade or so, however, we have seen a shift in that model as more innovations are exported from Africa to the world. To zero in closer home, perhaps the most famous Kenyan “tech” exports have been MPesa, BRCK, and Ushahidi. Locally made 3D printers might be next.
AB3D is a young Kenyan company whose name is an abbreviation of “African Born 3D Printing”. Their vision is to be the one-stop-shop for all 3D printing and rapid prototyping needs; from the sale of printers and 3D printing filament, 3D printing services as well as offering training on the technology. They hope to eventually get their printers to every school in Kenya for them to be used as a teaching aid and through this create jobs, alleviate poverty as well as help clean the environment. This makes a solid case for the role of Engineering in development outside of the mainstream infrastructure and energy. Their concept effortlessly demonstrates the relation between technology, education, youth employment and environmental conservation.
AB3D set out to make a printer that would be robust, commercially viable and sustainable within the African context. Additionally, it needed to be affordable to make 3D printing accessible to everyone. The printer’s design is based on an open source platform where anyone can build their own printers if they have all the required parts. Their design is based on the ‘Prusa i3’ but here’s where the ingenuity comes in: It is assembled from electronic waste with each printer being unique depending on the type of electronic waste parts harvested. The printers are assembled using electronic parts mainly from old printers, scanners, photocopiers and CPUs. These, along with selected 3D printed parts, some purchased electronics and a welded steel frame, are assembled together to construct a fully functional desktop 3D printer.
The printing filament is made from recycled PET plastic waste. AB3D are working with a Dandora-based community group who will be supplying the plastic waste which will ensure a local Eco-system. This supports the running and maintenance of 3D printers in Nairobi as a viable social venture. Currently, the available imported 3D printers in Nairobi have to outsource maintenance and repair which implies waiting for weeks to import replacement parts. Therefore, by relying on local production, AB3D aims to relieve this burden significantly.
The printing filament is made from recycled PET plastic waste. AB3D are working with a Dandora-based community group who will be supplying the plastic waste which will ensure a local Eco-system. This supports the running and maintenance of 3D printers in Nairobi as a viable social venture. Currently, the available imported 3D printers in Nairobi have to outsource maintenance and repair which implies waiting for weeks to import replacement parts. Therefore, by relying on local production, AB3D aims to relieve this burden significantly.
3D printing technology in Africa is relatively new with just a handful of individuals having 3D printers or the skill set required for 3D printing. Nevertheless, the potential that 3D technology holds in Kenya, and better yet Africa, is undisputed. Similarly, hardware technology in Kenya is at its conception stage but with immense growth potential. For it to live up to its full potential, Kenya must bridge the gap between the informal and formal sectors. Engineers equipped with theoretical know-how need to collaborate with the informal sector that relies heavily on experience and skill development. This will help grow hardware technology to its full capacity.
Africa is the land where necessity truly drives invention; where economic growth models are constantly re-imagined because we adopt technology in creative ways that work for us. AB3D is going to be a great tale, in days to come, about young Africans who achieved inconceivable impact with an idea, some tools and a passion for tinkering. The story of 3 young engineers, who coloured outside the lines.
NOTE: AB3D are looking for beta customers who can get the printers at a subsided price on condition that they work with them to improve it by giving them feedback. They promise that version 2 of the printer will not only look much better but also weigh less. For more information please contact: Roy Ombatti (Co-founder and CEO) - [email protected]. All the IP rights in this article are owned by AB3D.
NOTE: AB3D are looking for beta customers who can get the printers at a subsided price on condition that they work with them to improve it by giving them feedback. They promise that version 2 of the printer will not only look much better but also weigh less. For more information please contact: Roy Ombatti (Co-founder and CEO) - [email protected]. All the IP rights in this article are owned by AB3D.