D3D Fusion

This project aims to be a proof of concept instance of a Distributive Enterprise focusing on 3D printers. It's similar to the RepRap project, but instead of focusing on creating and spreading machines (3D printers) this project focuses on people, the RepRappers. The idea is to achieve exponential increase in the number of RepRappers by simultaneously teaching RepRap and how to teach RepRap.

Chain reaction metaphor

The D3D stands for Distributive enterprise 3D printer. The "fusion" part is there because this project will try to bootstrap a kind of economical chain reaction:

Instructor + Hardware + Plans + Participants_x → X (3D printer + New Potential Instructor)

This project will try to initiate a process where new instructors are formed who themselves obtain plans, hardware and participants to continue the process.

The → (workshop)

The "reaction" in this metaphor is a workshop. It will be designed into the smallest detail to facilitate reaction propagation. The design will be iteratively updated.

We (Tobben and Marcin) currently (6 Dec 2015) believe a one-day workshop has the best chance of propagating. This is because:

• Potential participants' time is limited. This will be squashed into peoples schedules
• Potential instructors needs economical incentives. Shorter workshops is more probable to generate a decent pay per hour

The Instructor

The first instructors will be OSE members. The Hardware, Plans and workshop will be designed to increase probability of a Participant → Instructor transition.

The Plans

Complete instructions and ready-made plans on how to host a workshop will be made as accessible as possible.

Making them good

Relevant data such as (build time, preparation time, etc) will be collected during every workshop. This data will be analyzed by the D3D project to facilitate plan design iterations.

Initial workshop plan will be guessed from various experience and beliefs.

Making them accessible

Features believed to increase accessibility include:

• Usage of rich media (video, sound, color, ...)
• Good language
• Good translations
• Wide publication
• All in one place (MOOC?)

Increasing accessibility easy. Doing it efficiently requires some consideration/experience.

The Participants

Potentially anyone. Make as few assumptions about participants as possible. Motivating people to become participants is a major part of the project.

The Hardware

The success of the RepRap project and the resulting increased availability of the RepRap hardware and information is the main reason why 3D printers are chosen as the first proof of concept Distributive Enterprise.

Making it good

Making the hardware as

• Generally useful
• Durable
• Easily repaired
• High quality

... as possible is a major part of the project.

This part of the project can build heavily on the results of the RepRap project- and community as well as other communities and available research on DYI 3D printers.

Making it accessible

Having a well engineered 3D printer will not lead to a workshop propagation unless the machine is

• Cheap
• Easy to use
• Easy to build
• Well documented
• Stylish