On Wednesday the 27th of April, a student run 3D printing and repair café at the Technical University of Berlin (TU) opened its doors for the first time. It is designed as a creative space to facilitate 3D printing for anyone who wants to be involved, students and non-students alike. The café can be used as a place to 3D print prototypes, models, design and art objects, spare parts- you name it. The options are endless. The opening of the café means everyone can have access to the wonderful technology that is 3D printing without having to own a printer themselves.
The space is equipped with Ultimaker brand 3D printers and was launched in support by the Society of Friends of TU Berlin, who funded the 3D Printing Repair Café’s first printer and tools. The aim is to work closely with relevant seminars and courses within the Charlottenburg Campus.
Workshops will be offered for familiarisation with 3D printers, hand tools and machines. To further support the work on site is an online catalog is compiled with freely accessible building plans, 3D print files and repair instructions. “3D-Druck and Repair Cafe” (druck being German for printing), will rely on donations, grants and sponsorship to keep its doors open. Patrons are expected to pay for the cost of materials, and nothing more which seems downright reasonable, although there is an “honesty box” for customer donations to help. Materials will be largely recycled, with most being renewable raw materials as organisers want to keep the space as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible.
We look forward to hearing more about their progress and success in the future, and in the meantime you can check them out here (although if you don’t speak German, you may need a translator).
