Open source 3D printers: an appropriate technology for building low cost optics labs for the developing communities

By Michigan Tech's Open Sustainability Technology Lab. Wanted: Students to make a distributed future with solar-powered open-source RepRap 3-D printing and recyclebot recycling. Contact Dr. Joshua Pearce or Apply here MOST on RepRap: Projects and Publications], Methods, Lit. reviews Twitter updates @ProfPearce

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Source

• J. Gwamuri, Joshua M. Pearce, "Open source 3D printers: an appropriate technology for building low cost optics labs for the developing communities", Proc. SPIE 10452, 14th Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics: ETOP 2017, 104522S (16 August 2017); doi: 10.1117/12.2269852; http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2269852 open access
  • Open Source Lab
  • Category:Open source optics

Abstract

The recent introduction of RepRap (self-replicating rapid prototyper) 3-D printers and the resultant open source technological improvements have resulted in affordable 3-D printing, enabling low-cost distributed manufacturing for individuals. This development and others such as the rise of open source-appropriate technology (OSAT) and solar powered 3-D printing are moving 3-D printing from an industry based technology to one that could be used in the developing world for sustainable development. In this paper, we explore some specific technological improvements and how distributed manufacturing with open-source 3-D printing can be used to provide open-source 3-D printable optics components for developing world communities through the ability to print less expensive and customized products. This paper presents an open-source low cost optical equipment library which enables relatively easily adapted customizable designs with the potential of changing the way optics is taught in resource constraint communities. The study shows that this method of scientific hardware development has a potential to enables a much broader audience to participate in optical experimentation both as research and teaching platforms. Conclusions on the technical viability of 3-D printing to assist in development and recommendations on how developing communities can fully exploit this technology to improve the learning of optics through hands-on methods have been outlined.

Related work

• Pearce J., Albritton S., Grant G., Steed G., & Zelenika I. 2012."A New Model for Enabling Innovation in Appropriate Technology for Sustainable Development". Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy 8(2), Published online Aug 20, 2012.
• Amy J. Buitenhuis, Ivana Zelenika and J. M. Pearce,. "Open Design-Based Strategies to Enhance Appropriate Technology Development" Proceedings of the 14th Annual National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance Conference: Open, March 25-27th 2010, pp. 1-12.
• J. M Pearce, C. Morris Blair, K. J. Laciak, R. Andrews, A. Nosrat and I. Zelenika Zovko, (2010) “3-D Printing of Open Source Appropriate Technologies for Self-Directed Sustainable Development”, Journal of Sustainable Development open access
• Zelenika, I. and J.M. Pearce. 2011. Barriers to Appropriate Technology Growth in Sustainable Development. Journal of Sustainable Development. Vol 4, Number 6
• I. Zelenika and J. M. Pearce, “The Internet and other ICTs as Tools and Catalysts for Sustainable Development: Innovation for 21st Century”, Information Development Volume 29 Issue 3 August 2013 pp. 217 - 232. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0266666912465742

See also

• Open-source 3D-printable optics equipment
• Open Source Appropriate Technology Literature Review
• Barriers to Appropriate Technology Growth in Sustainable Development
• Open source 3-D printing of OSAT
• The Case for Open Source Appropriate Technology
• A new model for enabling innovation in appropriate technology for sustainable development
• Innovation through collaboration: scaling up solutions for sustainable development