Abstract
Following the rapid rise of distributed additive manufacturing with 3-D printing has come the technical development of filament extruders and recyclebots, which can turn both virgin polymer pellets and post-consumer shredded plastic into 3-D filament. Similar to the solutions proposed for other forms of ethical manufacturing, it is possible to consider a form of ethical 3-D printer filament distribution being developed. There is a market opportunity for producing this ethical 3-D printer filament, which is addressed in this paper by developing an “ethical product standard” for 3-D filament based upon a combination of existing fair-trade standards and technical and life cycle analysis of recycled filament production and 3-D printing manufacturing. These standards apply to businesses that can enable the economic development of waste pickers and include i) minimum pricing, ii) fair trade premium, iii) labor standards, iv) environmental and technical standards, v) health and safety standards, and vi) social standards including those that cover discrimination, harassment, freedom of association, collective bargaining and discipline.
Highlights
Recent developments in additive manufacturing, or 3-D printing, have made distributed manufacturing of high-value products for household use in any country in the world technically viable (Pearce, et al, 2010)
Similar to the solutions proposed for other forms of ethical manufacturing, it is possible to consider a form of ethical 3-D printer filament distribution being developed
There is a market opportunity for producing this ethical 3-D printer filament, which is addressed in this paper by developing an “ethical product standard” for 3-D filament based upon a combination of existing fair-trade standards and technical and life cycle analysis of recycled filament production and 3-D printing manufacturing
Summary
Recent developments in additive manufacturing, or 3-D printing, have made distributed manufacturing of high-value products for household use in any country in the world technically viable (Pearce, et al, 2010). The cost of the printers themselves has already been shown to be an economically advantageous investment for scientific laboratories, schools and middle-class households (Pearce, 2012; 2014; Anzalone, et al, 2013; Zhang, et al, 2013; Wittbrodt, et al, 2013). This economic feasibility exists despite highly marked-up costs of commercial 3-D printing filament (Baecheler, et al 2013). If there is the potential to change the way products are manufactured following this distributed model, the same issues that arise for the ethical manufacturing of other products arises for the manufacturing of the raw material or 3-D printing filament
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
