Tuesday 15 May 2018

A better environment. The future is now ...

Our daily gadgets are made of plastic. If they break, you throw them and buy a new one. The pile electrical waste is growing. Bit more techy? You could try to repair it and call the helpdesk of the gadget manufacturer for spare parts. 
Helpdesk …  ?  
No reply …
... Still waiting!

This is what happened lately. Some years ago we bought a hairdryer. We chose the more expensive one assuming it would last longer. On the long run maybe even better for the environment? 

Wrong. After some satisfactory years with dry hair, last week the plastic on/off button broke. Some minuets later, the dryer was in all its pieces. Just a small piece broke internally and made the hairdryer a piece of non functional plastic. Its just a cheap plastic button assuming I could order a new one and the manufacturer would send it within a couple of days. One week and some days after I sent an e-mail :tumbleweed … Disappointed filled with anger, my inner engineer kicked in and thought well why not to make a new button by my self. An old hard to read ruler + 3D cad program + 30 min on Saturday morning later I had my digital version of the on/off button on my computer. 

(use mouse to turn and click here to download .stl)



If I had a 3D printer I could print and use the hairdryer straight away. Unfortunately… :(
Luckily the 3D print community is rising. Loads of people offer their printer and make 3D printing also more accessible for everyone. For your nearest printer check www.3dhubs.com 
One day later, Johan sent me the pickup info and with the new button we finally have dry hairs again. 

Grey button up (original) below replica ( 3D print)
Fully functioning hairdryer made in Mendrisio+3DP home made adaption = dry hairs


I used 3D printers for work making instruments which are low cost and flexible in their use. Now also in private I can say: we arrived in the future. A goose bump experience - going beyond the one when I got my first smartphone. Some mouse clicks on e.g. https://www.tinkercad.com/  or http://www.openscad.org/ upload on the net and things work again. You can design your next lamp cap, or what ever your imagination allows to.

So, instead watching Netflix -  wake up and watch youtube how to make 3D designs.


Also don't forget the other things on your TODO list (click here) or see lekkersamenklooien




lekkersamenklooien poster download (click here

Climate change is a hot topic where consuming less meat or exchanging your SUV for a bike to work can make the difference. Now we also have another tool (more impact) to make a impact for a better planet: Instead of throw away and buy - Just repair, use state of the art tools such as 3D printing and reuse. It not that difficult and easier than ever !!

Especially when manufacturers have an open design and promote* to do so …




* by not providing spare parts