"High-efficiency solar-powered 3-D printers for sustainable development" by Jephias Gwamuri, Dhiogo Franco et al.
 

Electrical and Computer Engineering Publications

High-efficiency solar-powered 3-D printers for sustainable development

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2016

Volume

4

Issue

1

Journal

Machines

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.3390/machines4010003

Abstract

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.

This document is currently not available here.

Plum Print visual indicator of research metrics
PlumX Metrics
  • Citations
    • Citation Indexes: 33
  • Usage
    • Downloads: 74
    • Abstract Views: 9
  • Captures
    • Readers: 86
see details

Share

COinS