Just finished deploying our first Polyformer at my favourite 3D printing center in Kigali: ECC Rwanda.

I made a short playlist where I demonstrate using the machine at the center. In the video series, you can also meet our local partner Tresor Cyiza who will be maintaining and managing the machines long term.

I'm estatic that we get to collaborate with Tresor on this project as he is an expert on 3D printing and specifically fabricating recycled printer filament. Tresor himself has already designed and built his own pullstrusion machine in Rwanda. As an avid maker, he was frustrated by the insanely high cost of 3D printer filament in Rwanda. Fortunately he is an avid maker, so he made his own custom machine to recycle bottles into filament. He has named his design Polywinder and he provides more details on the project in the Polyformer discord server. Currently, Tresor is experimenting with a Wellzoom extruder to fabricate filament from PLA pellets. If he is successful, he will be able to manufacture filament in Rwanda for $7 a kilo. I really wanted to share Tresor's story as I think it illustrates how local makers are already trying to solve this problem themselves. That proves there is a need for this project (or something like it atleast).

Anyways, here is our workshop session at the makerspace: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17868595826778677/.