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PulpMaker

Mechanical Paper Pulp Printer

Year

2024

Duration

4 Months

Associated with

Central Saint Martins

Project Type

Postgraduate Thesis Project

Research · Concept Development · Industrial Design · Color, Material and Finish · Design for Manufacture · Design for Social Impact ·

Contribution

PulpMaker is a fully mechanical 3D paper pulp printer designed to provide modest yet meaningful benefits for the educational and recreational needs of children living in temporary camps, especially in the aftermath of crises such as natural disasters and wars. It utilizes widely available waste material, paper, as its primary resource, allowing for the creation of various objects in a completely sustainable manner without the need for electricity. PulpMaker aims to offer valuable support in STEM education, enhancing the cognitive and practical development of children while also addressing their needs for entertainment and play, thereby having a positive social impact.

Inspired by traditional 3D printing technology, PulpMaker has been redesigned to operate entirely mechanically, eliminating the need for electrical power. Users first add the prepared paper pulp and then turn the crank handle to activate the mechanism, which creates three-dimensional objects. Since the target users are children, it is designed to be as simple and user-friendly as possible. By transforming waste paper into a valuable resource, PulpMaker addresses waste management and sustainability issues while also providing a renewable material for printing.

Collaborators

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Project Video

Development Process

Developing a fully functional prototype for PulpMaker took me a long time. I started by thoroughly analyzing the operational principles and components of regular 3D printers, starting with completely disassembling an
Ultimaker. Then, I created simple prototypes and generated detailed CAD data. Due to the challenging flow of pulp material, I had to put in extra work in that area. After many trials, I created the final prototype. I used many
different production methods during this process, modifying most of the parts myself to fit the design. Finally, I completed the product by filming its video