RepRap Prize = OLPC

The Foresight Institute is offering the Kartik M. Gada Humanitarian Innovation Prize (An X-Prize like grant) for creating a better RepRap 3D Printing system. The prize is two-tiered with $100K total up for grabs. The organization is trying to create a manufacturing tool to benefit developing nations. The requirements are:

• Print at least three different materials, including one that is usefully electrically conductive.
• The ability to print electronic circuit boards.
• Print beds must be of a material which may be reused with minimal refurbishment for at least 20 print cycles.
• Maintain a total materials and parts cost under $200 and that 90% of the volume of the printer parts be printed.
• Demonstrate a build volume of the printer above 300×300x100mm in order to insure that items daily utility can be printed.
• The capacity to print a full set of parts for a complete replica of itself within 10 days unattended save for clearing no more than one printer head jam.
• The ability to print autonomously without a PC attached.
• Uses no more than 60 watts of electrical power.

The aims of the prize are noble, but they are overly burdensome. The most technically advanced 3D printer in the world could not come close to reaching these goals. A humble RepScrap would have a hard time meeting the cost target. If the goal is to provide a tool that would help the developing world, this should not be the PRD.

The benefits of 3D Printing are rapid iteration and the flexibility to create complex geometries in a one off basis. Both of these things would have utility in the developing world, but adding a bunch of technological wizardry is going to hurt the project. Much like the OLPC, this project is focused on an arbitrary goal. In this case self reproduction vs. the $100 price. Imagine the use case is Hati, would users want something like the 3D printer that creates shelters created by Behrokh Khoshnevis or the ability to manufacture PCB’s? No current manufacturing tool could reproduce itself, with the help of an operator, never mind autonomously. Why make this a requirement?

Cynically it seems the prize is set up never to have to be paid out. In any case, choosing one or two of these requirements could lead to amazing innovation in the space, so hopefully some team will take up the challenge anyway.

Tagged as: RepRap, RepRap Project