{"id":75989,"key":"Prospects_of_applying_3-D_printing_to_economics_of_remote_communities:_Reindeer_herder_case","title":"Prospects of applying 3-D printing to economics of remote communities: Reindeer herder case","latest":{"id":1223424,"timestamp":"2026-01-08T22:36:43Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"{{MOST}}\n\n[[Image:3dpdeer.jpg|thumb]]\n\n{{Publication data\n| type = Paper\n| cite-as = Svetlana Obydenkova, Nicholas C. Anzalone, Joshua M. Pearce, (2018) \"Prospects of applying 3-D printing to economics of remote communities: Reindeer herder case\", ''Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy,'' Vol. 12 Issue: 4, pp.488-509, https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-08-2016-0029 [https://www.academia.edu/37217147/Prospects_of_applying_3-D_printing_to_economics_of_remote_communities_reindeer_herder_case open access]\n}}\n\n[[File:Op banner.jpg|thumb]]\n\nIsolated communities face a variety of inconveniences including severe remoteness, poor roads and extreme climate conditions, resulting in the lack of security of supply chains and exorbitant prices for cargo delivery. This paper aims to investigate the present advantages and prospects of applying 3-D printing to improve economics and everyday life of remote communities, reindeer herder case taken as an example.\n\n* [https://www.youmagine.com/designs/reindeer-lasso-accessory Lasso]\n* [https://www.youmagine.com/designs/electric-fence-holder Electric fence holder]\n* [https://www.youmagine.com/designs/cattle-or-reindeer-ear-tag Ear tags]\n\n{{MOST-RepRap}}\n\n{{Pearce publications notice}}\n\n=== Design/methodology/approach ===\n\nThis study covers the use of a low-cost open-source 3-D printer (RepRap) capable of fused filament fabrication to reduce operating costs for nomadic reindeer herder groups. Three case studies are provided for reindeer-specific applications to probe economic and technical viability of the technology, namely, ear-tags, electric fence components and lasso accessories.\n\n=== Findings ===\n\n3-D printed objects feature technical characteristics similar to those of analogues available on the market while reducing the price by 63 per cent. Distributed 3-D printing reduces the cost of raw materials by 68 per cent and shipping costs by 50 because of lower trip frequency. If all reindeer herders globally were to adopt distributed manufacturing of the three aforementioned sample items only, their annual savings from such solution would amount to US$2m. The paper discovers other economic, entrepreneurial, technical and environmental opportunities offered by 3-D printing put to service the needs of remote communities.\n\n=== Research limitations ===\n\nAs the paper is the first-ever study of 3-D printing potential applied to the reindeer husbandry case, it is based on a more thorough analysis of the techno-economic feasibility of the technology, while cultural and entrepreneurial factors have been discussed as preconditions only.\n\n=== Practical implications ===\n\nThe paper might serve as a valuable source of information for entrepreneurs, as well as for students and academics for further case studies in this area.\n\n=== Originality/value ===\n\nIn remote conditions, 3-D printing offers a more sustainable way of good manufacturing. Numerous open source designs already available for specialists, financial effectiveness, environmental benefits and vast opportunities for entrepreneurs are among the most promising advantages of the technology.\n\n== Keywords ==\n\n [[Community]], Distributed, Manufacturing, Hardware, [[Open-source]], [[3-D printing]]\n\n== See also ==\n\n* [[Renewable energy policy in the north]]\n* [[Renewable Energy in Canadian Aboriginal Remote Communities - Lit Review]]\n* [[Technical feasibility of renewable electricity generation in Nunavut]]\n* [[Mobile photovoltaic applications literature review]]\n* [[Reindeer husbandry literature review]]\n\n== In the News ==\n\n* Study Shows Benefit of 3D Printing to Indigenous People [https://3dprint.com/223542/3d-printing-indigenous-people/ 3D Print]\n\n{{Page data\n| license = CC-BY-SA-3.0\n| title-tag = 3-D Printing for Remote Communities: Reindeer Herder Case\n| description = 3D printing supports remote communities with self-made parts. Appropedia explores how herders use local production to save costs and stay independent.\n}}\n\n[[Category:MOST completed projects and publications]]\n[[Category:arctic]]"}