Philips has introduced a brand new initiative that may let customers 3D print their very own replacements for small however important components included with lots of its private well being merchandise. Philips Fixables is launching within the Czech Republic, the place Prusa Analysis, the corporate’s associate for the initiative, is predicated. However the precise recordsdata that may be downloaded and 3D printed are being freely shared through the Printables platform, which is accessible globally.
You continue to can’t 3D print your self a brand new beard trimmer if it breaks or the battery dies, however for equipment like a slicing information, Philips Fixables will give some customers a substitute for looking for a substitute regionally or have one shipped out. With the ability to instantly repair your trimmer may additionally make it much less interesting to throw away and change a superbly good machine.
Philips says it’s working with Prusa Analysis to make sure the 3D printed substitute components it designs and releases meet the corporate’s requirements for high quality and security. Nevertheless it additionally factors out that the sturdiness and performance of the replacements will rely on customers sticking to the 3D printing materials and pointers the corporate recommends.
There’s presently only one substitute half out there from Philips on Printables: a small adjustable comb designed to connect to its OneBlade trimmer. The corporate recommends the usage of commonplace PLA filament and advises customers to print the half utilizing the identical orientation it has within the authentic file, which doesn’t require the usage of any added helps. Modifying the file to cut back the quantity of filament it wants or lower print instances may compromise its sturdiness.
It’s a welcome initiative, however one which’s solely going to end in significant enhancements to sustainability if the corporate follows via and releases greater than only a single accent. Philips is teasing further 3D printable components, together with adjustable guides for beard trimmers and elements for gadgets like electrical toothbrushes and hair dryers, however doesn’t specify once they’ll be out there. It additionally offers a kind the place customers can particularly request a 3D printable various to a selected half, but it surely doesn’t assure one will likely be created, or specify how lengthy it’ll take for one to be launched after present process high quality management testing.