3D printer from electronics waste If you didn't already see it on the RepRap blog, there is an interesting article about a project called W.AFATE, which is an effort to build a 3D printer from recycled electronics at the WoeLab in Lomé, Togo. The project was conceived by Afate Gnikou. Electronics waste from all over the world is brought to the nearby town of Agbogbloshie in Ghana, where the metals are recovered by unsafe and highly polluting methods (the plastics are burned off and workers sift through what is left by hand). The idea of W.AFATE is to recycle some of this waste (CPUs, printers, scanners) into 3D printers. For those of us who can't read French, here is what Google Translate has to say about the page: Quote The origins of the W.AFATE. W.AFATE printer is inspired by the Prusa Mendel with a model was mounted Woelab-Lomé when AchiCamp 2012, thanks to a kit imported from France. Very spontaneously Afate having identified the problem posed by the availability of a kit in the realization of this project, initiated the process of manufacturing an empowering machine easy to reproduce, 100% based on recycling and other materials available anywhere. Interest is focused on IT debris namely CPU, printers and scanners. The architecture of the CPU is suitable to serve as a framework for the machine, the rails and motors printers and scanners come here to add to give life to a 3 - Printer craft whose heart is the Arduino board. W.afate name is a composition of "W" WoeLab, and "Afate" the name of the inventor. Supposed to provide solutions adapted to African conditions and realities, it is an initiative that is part of the ethical HighLowTech WoeLab is to equip the various social strata with proximity technology and they also provide the ability to create their own machines with a very detailed and simple as possible documentation. Ecology. Democracy Technology. Solidarity. Promote e-waste and help clean up computer dumpsites like Agbogbloshie Ghana extend across entire neighborhoods. Put technology within the reach of ordinary people and to Africa, not a spectator, but a full-fledged actress with a next industrial revolution most virtuous. Promote the diversion and recycling of waste to avoid scrap and generate new economic contribution to African households, schools and Internet cafes machines. Some of the challenges that Afate very innocently kissed by embarking on the project of making the first 3D printer scale, and non-family openSource RepRap. The WoeLab calls for support. Your help will enable W.AFATE to emerge and thereby reduce the gap between one of the most prestigious technology of our time and modest people. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,208757#msg-208757 Thu, 21 May 2026 01:31:27 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,461401#msg-461401 Re: 3D printer from electronics waste https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,461401#msg-461401 [diysourcing.com] please help me add to this list. I would also like to know if i would be able to use regular printer boards to control a 3d printer.what abought vcr motors just starting out.]]> voc007 General Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:42:18 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,255186#msg-255186 Re: 3D printer from electronics waste https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,255186#msg-255186 Here is an article on hackaday.]]> MattMoses General Tue, 15 Oct 2013 09:35:58 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,253897#msg-253897 Re: 3D printer from electronics waste https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,253897#msg-253897 short news feature showing a printer in action.]]> MattMoses General Fri, 11 Oct 2013 10:21:38 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,253438#msg-253438 Re: 3D printer from electronics waste https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,253438#msg-253438 Senake General Thu, 10 Oct 2013 03:40:22 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,253431#msg-253431 Re: 3D printer from electronics waste https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,253431#msg-253431 exigorecycling General Thu, 10 Oct 2013 02:41:44 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,243746#msg-243746 Re: 3D printer from electronics waste https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,243746#msg-243746 W.AFATE project page. Interesting design of an extruder made from recycled parts...]]> MattMoses General Sun, 08 Sep 2013 16:00:22 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,218084#msg-218084 Re: 3D printer from electronics waste https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,218084#msg-218084
Anyway, it's already a lot of money, especially for that country. I hope you can manage with the amount and I wish you good luck with your project! :)]]> Ohmarinus General Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:25:44 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,217550#msg-217550 Re: 3D printer from electronics waste https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,217550#msg-217550
:)]]> NormandC General Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:06:56 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,216656#msg-216656 Re: 3D printer from electronics waste https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,216656#msg-216656 fabbaloo.com]]]> NormandC General Sat, 08 Jun 2013 23:20:10 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,216598#msg-216598 Re: 3D printer from electronics waste https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,216598#msg-216598
Quote
NormandC
I already provided that link in my previous reply.

I know, NormandC, thank you. I figured it wouldn't hurt to add it again :)

They only need $1400. I think they can still make it... Tell your friends! Send it to hackaday! Post it on reddit!]]> MattMoses General Sat, 08 Jun 2013 16:13:26 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,216593#msg-216593 Re: 3D printer from electronics waste https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,216593#msg-216593
I already provided that link in my previous reply.

With only 8 days left and still 30% to go, I fear they won't make it. In fact I'm pretty sure they won't. A shame, considering how much less socially important projects on Kickstarter get their funding in a matter of hours.

:(]]> NormandC General Sat, 08 Jun 2013 15:34:49 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,216571#msg-216571 Re: 3D printer from electronics waste https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,216571#msg-216571 Here is the link to the English lanquage version of the W.AFATE page.

Only eight days left!]]> MattMoses General Sat, 08 Jun 2013 14:44:50 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,210008#msg-210008 Re: 3D printer from electronics waste https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,210008#msg-210008 Lets hope it gets off the ground]]> Myles General Sun, 19 May 2013 08:22:37 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,209976#msg-209976 Re: 3D printer from electronics waste https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,209976#msg-209976 www.ulule.com]

Ulule, which I didn't know before, is an European alternative to Kickstarter and Indiegogo. I registered so I could fund this project (right after Adrian Bowyer!). 28 days left and a little more than half the relatively modest amount to go. It would be nice if its funding was successful!]]> NormandC General Sun, 19 May 2013 03:55:51 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,208757#msg-208757 3D printer from electronics waste https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,208757,208757#msg-208757 RepRap blog, there is an interesting article about a project called W.AFATE, which is an effort to build a 3D printer from recycled electronics at the WoeLab in Lomé, Togo. The project was conceived by Afate Gnikou.

Electronics waste from all over the world is brought to the nearby town of Agbogbloshie in Ghana, where the metals are recovered by unsafe and highly polluting methods (the plastics are burned off and workers sift through what is left by hand). The idea of W.AFATE is to recycle some of this waste (CPUs, printers, scanners) into 3D printers.

For those of us who can't read French, here is what Google Translate has to say about the page:

Quote

The origins of the W.AFATE.

W.AFATE printer is inspired by the Prusa Mendel with a model was mounted Woelab-Lomé when AchiCamp 2012, thanks to a kit imported from France. Very spontaneously Afate having identified the problem posed by the availability of a kit in the realization of this project, initiated the process of manufacturing an empowering machine easy to reproduce, 100% based on recycling and other materials available anywhere. Interest is focused on IT debris namely CPU, printers and scanners. The architecture of the CPU is suitable to serve as a framework for the machine, the rails and motors printers and scanners come here to add to give life to a 3 - Printer craft whose heart is the Arduino board. W.afate name is a composition of "W" WoeLab, and "Afate" the name of the inventor.

Supposed to provide solutions adapted to African conditions and realities, it is an initiative that is part of the ethical HighLowTech WoeLab is to equip the various social strata with proximity technology and they also provide the ability to create their own machines with a very detailed and simple as possible documentation.

Ecology. Democracy Technology. Solidarity.

Promote e-waste and help clean up computer dumpsites like Agbogbloshie Ghana extend across entire neighborhoods.

Put technology within the reach of ordinary people and to Africa, not a spectator, but a full-fledged actress with a next industrial revolution most virtuous.

Promote the diversion and recycling of waste to avoid scrap and generate new economic contribution to African households, schools and Internet cafes machines.

Some of the challenges that Afate very innocently kissed by embarking on the project of making the first 3D printer scale, and non-family openSource RepRap.

The WoeLab calls for support. Your help will enable W.AFATE to emerge and thereby reduce the gap between one of the most prestigious technology of our time and modest people.
]]> MattMoses General Wed, 15 May 2013 01:13:47 -0400