PDF Basket
When anti-personnel mines left from Cambodia’s wars caused loss of limbs, the prosthetics available were ineffective while in Nepal, three quarters of amputees couldn’t get prosthetics at all. That was until Ultimaker joined forces with Canadian charity Victoria Hand to create them with a 3D printer.
“We are now working to provide amputees with customised and functional prosthetics,” says the charity’s chief designer, Josh Coutts.
Swiss couple Fabian Wyss and Jennifer Gadient collect plastic from Spanish and Moroccan beaches and use it to make glasses, bags and jewellery. “It was extremely important for us to use a robust, easy-to-maintain and very reliable printer,” says Gadient. “Our Ultimaker has had to endure bumpy roads, sea salt and sand, but has never stopped working,” adds Wyss.
Ultimaker also gave a 3D printer to Vathorst College in the Netherlands to improve science and maths lessons. Pupils used it to learn how to build and assemble the components of a rocket.
“The 3D printer has a number of definite advantages,” says teacher Sara Seamari. “Pupils can visualise things much more easily, which is not always the case with 2D. They not only develop knowledge of 3D printing, but can also explore making things themselves. They can also build working prototypes and solve real-life problems.”
To further promote 3D printing and science in schools, Ultimaker held a Europe-wide competition in November 2016 in which young people were asked to create something using a printer. Of 250 entrants, 50 won a 3D printer, a training course, a year’s worth of supplies and membership of Ultimaker's pioneer programme, which it plans to expand to Africa and the Middle East.
Expansion is also happening elsewhere. Although Ultimaker's business is currently centred on office and personal 3D desktop printers, the EU financing will enable it to create a new professional range.