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Type Paper
Cite as Citation reference for the source document. Jephias Gwamuri, Dhiogo Franco, Khalid Y. Khan, Lucia Gauchia and Joshua M. Pearce. High-Efficiency Solar-Powered 3-D Printers for Sustainable Development. Machines 2016, 4(1), 3; doi: 10.3390/machines4010003 open access
FA info icon.svg Angle down icon.svg Project data
Authors Jephias Gwamuri
Dhiogo Franco
Khalid Y. Khan
Lucia Gauchia
J.M.Pearce
Location Michigan, USA
Status Designed
Prototyped
Verified
Verified by MOST
Links https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/4/1/3/html
OKH Manifest Download

The release of the open source 3-D printer known as the RepRap (a self-Replicating Rapid prototyper) resulted in the potential for distributed manufacturing of products for significantly lower costs than conventional manufacturing. This development, coupled with open source-appropriate technology (OSAT), has enabled the opportunity for 3-D printers to be used for sustainable development. In this context, OSAT provides the opportunity to modify and improve the physical designs of their printers and desired digitally-shared objects. However, these 3-D printers require electricity while more than a billion people still lack electricity. To enable the utilization of RepRaps in off-grid communities, solar photovoltaic (PV)-powered mobile systems have been developed, but recent improvements in novel delta-style 3-D printer designs allows for reduced costs and improved performance. This study builds on these innovations to develop and experimentally validate a mobile solar-PV-powered delta 3-D printer system. It is designed to run the RepRap 3-D printer regardless of solar flux. The electrical system design is tested outdoors for operating conditions: (1) PV charging battery and running 3-D printer; (2) printing under low insolation; (3) battery powering the 3-D printer alone; (4) PV charging the battery only; and (5) battery fully charged with PV-powered 3-D printing. The results show the system performed as required under all conditions providing feasibility for adoption in off-grid rural communities. 3-D printers powered by affordable mobile PV solar systems have a great potential to reduce poverty through employment creation, as well as ensuring a constant supply of scarce products for isolated communities.

What could you print with it?[edit | edit source]

Keywords[edit | edit source]

Appropriate Technology; Distributed Manufacturing; Open Source Hardware; Photovoltaic; Solar Energy; 3D Printing; OSAT; off grid

Presentation[edit | edit source]

Other Versions of Solar Powered 3-D Printers[edit | edit source]

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In the News[edit | edit source]

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Keywords solar navbox, solar-powered, 3d printing, sustainable development, 3d printers, high-efficiency
SDG SDG07 Affordable and clean energy, SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities
Authors Joshua M. Pearce
License CC-BY-SA-3.0
Organizations MTU, MOST
Language English (en)
Translations French
Related 1 subpages, 15 pages link here
Impact 1,212 page views
Created January 15, 2016 by Joshua M. Pearce
Modified February 23, 2024 by Maintenance script
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