If you didn't already see it on the RepRap blog, there is an interesting article about a project called W.AFATE, which is an effort to build a 3D printer from recycled electronics at the WoeLab in Lomé, Togo. The project was conceived by Afate Gnikou.
Electronics waste from all over the world is brought to the nearby town of Agbogbloshie in Ghana, where the metals are recovered by unsafe and highly polluting methods (the plastics are burned off and workers sift through what is left by hand). The idea of W.AFATE is to recycle some of this waste (CPUs, printers, scanners) into 3D printers.
For those of us who can't read French, here is what Google Translate has to say about the page:
Electronics waste from all over the world is brought to the nearby town of Agbogbloshie in Ghana, where the metals are recovered by unsafe and highly polluting methods (the plastics are burned off and workers sift through what is left by hand). The idea of W.AFATE is to recycle some of this waste (CPUs, printers, scanners) into 3D printers.
For those of us who can't read French, here is what Google Translate has to say about the page:
Quote
The origins of the W.AFATE.
W.AFATE printer is inspired by the Prusa Mendel with a model was mounted Woelab-Lomé when AchiCamp 2012, thanks to a kit imported from France. Very spontaneously Afate having identified the problem posed by the availability of a kit in the realization of this project, initiated the process of manufacturing an empowering machine easy to reproduce, 100% based on recycling and other materials available anywhere. Interest is focused on IT debris namely CPU, printers and scanners. The architecture of the CPU is suitable to serve as a framework for the machine, the rails and motors printers and scanners come here to add to give life to a 3 - Printer craft whose heart is the Arduino board. W.afate name is a composition of "W" WoeLab, and "Afate" the name of the inventor.
Supposed to provide solutions adapted to African conditions and realities, it is an initiative that is part of the ethical HighLowTech WoeLab is to equip the various social strata with proximity technology and they also provide the ability to create their own machines with a very detailed and simple as possible documentation.
Ecology. Democracy Technology. Solidarity.
Promote e-waste and help clean up computer dumpsites like Agbogbloshie Ghana extend across entire neighborhoods.
Put technology within the reach of ordinary people and to Africa, not a spectator, but a full-fledged actress with a next industrial revolution most virtuous.
Promote the diversion and recycling of waste to avoid scrap and generate new economic contribution to African households, schools and Internet cafes machines.
Some of the challenges that Afate very innocently kissed by embarking on the project of making the first 3D printer scale, and non-family openSource RepRap.
The WoeLab calls for support. Your help will enable W.AFATE to emerge and thereby reduce the gap between one of the most prestigious technology of our time and modest people.