A new one-year program led by (Somerset, Kentucky) is helping impoverished and exploited people in Kentucky get a new lease on life by introducing them to 3D-printing technology.
Funded by a grant from the , Somerset鈥檚 new initiative 鈥� Elevate Kentucky through Additive Manufacturing (EKAM) 鈥� is providing 3D-printing equipment, training, and support to two small businesses, and . The businesses employ and support impoverished individuals and victims of human trafficking, respectively.
EKAM is bringing the power of additive manufacturing to these businesses to enhance their products, craft marketing programs, and increase artisan product lines. Participants will use 3D technology to design and produce sellable craft products, such as jewelry, as well as tools and jigs to enhance their existing manufacturing capabilities.
Transformative Experience
The Additive Manufacturing Center (AMC) located at Somerset Community College has been helping businesses across the state in 3D printing for over seven years, so expanding into the EKAM program was a natural next step for Eric Wooldridge, professor and director of the AMC.
鈥淲e had the mindset that additive technology could be used to improve the quality of someone's life,鈥� Wooldridge says. 鈥淲e wanted to bring advanced manufacturing to the grassroots folks who are often the most creative, and give them the power to make products that are manufacturer-level quality for themselves, and inspire that ability to change one's life through innovation and creativity.鈥�
Career Skills
This program is not only helping two small businesses grow, it鈥檚 teaching people new skills that may lead to careers in manufacturing.
鈥淭he whole goal of the program is to take those impacted from human trafficking and impoverished regions, re-educate and reorient, and then put them back into the workplace. What greater skill could we give them in defining their own destiny than advanced manufacturing technology?鈥� Wooldridge says.
Training and Equipment
Replicating a remote training program developed for teaching during COVID, Wooldridge is providing participants with eight-to-ten weeks of remote classes, video tutorials, and training materials. The first lessons are in parametric modeling using Fusion 360 software from (IMTS booth: ).
鈥淎utodesk has been very gracious to support this project by giving the software to the participants for free,鈥� Wooldridge states. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a big deal because it allows us to teach them the additive manufacturing mentality through design, first and foremost. Then we will shift them to the equipment, train them on how to use the hardware, and then work with them to develop products.鈥�
Wooldridge鈥檚 experience enables him to choose, negotiate pricing for, and purchase equipment that鈥檚 been tested in the AMC lab for hundreds of hours. In addition to low cost, he looked for options with the potential for future improvements so the equipment will be continually supported and upgradeable. In partnership with , each location will receive a full lab of equipment that includes five , one , all necessary accessories, and a variety of filaments (metal, carbon fiber, polycarbonate, PETG, TPU, and wood).
Wooldridge points out that without partners like Matterhackers, Autodesk, and the USDA, projects like this simply could not be possible. 鈥淥n the surface, projects like this seem fairly straightforward, but the reality is that it takes a lot of work and a team of dedicated partners; folks that truly want to make a difference in the lives of others, and truly believe in the potential of people.鈥�
The Future of 3D printing
After EKAM ends in September 2022, Wooldridge plans to scale up and partner with larger NGOs that want to fund similar initiatives. His goal is to introduce 3D printing broadly around the country and the world.
鈥淔rom the hobbyist farmer to the surgical professional, we want to make additive manufacturing accessible to everyone,鈥� Wooldridge says. 鈥淚t will change the way that we look at manufacturing, design, sustainability, and true product value.鈥�
