ABOUT THE SEEKER
I.O.Me005 is a humanitarian community based innovation and prototyping space with an array of both high-tech and low-tech tools to facilitate rapid prototyping and small scale manufacturing of innovative ideas/products. It is an initiative of the Kenya Red Cross Society located in Hindi, Lamu, Kenya and has been in operation since October 2020. Initial funding and support was provided by the Qatar Red Crescent Society. This collaborative space aims to provide a safe platform for creative thinking and problem solving empowering the youth to leverage technology in developing innovative ideas and setting up enterprises. It provides them with more options through access to advanced technology, materials and production methodologies through shared knowledge and peer learning. I.O.Me005 is also committed to helping to achieve several of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
- 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
- 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
- 13 - Fight to combat climate change and its impact.
The Challenge
In recent years, many countries, including Kenya, have taken drastic steps to reduce the impact of plastic waste on the environment and land and marine wildlife. 1.3 million kilograms of plastic waste are produced in Kenya on a weekly basis and unfortunately only 10% of this is collected for re-use. Lamu County, located on the east coast of Kenya, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, popular for being a tourist destination. However, in recent years, the white pristine beaches and clear blue waters are polluted with all different types of plastic. This has a negative effect on the tourism industry within Lamu County and also has dire effects on marine wildlife. Interestingly, plastic waste that ends up on the shores of Lamu can come from as far as Indonesia and Australia which further emphasizes on the fact that there needs to be a collective effort around the globe to reduce plastic waste pollution. The Seeker is interested in making the best of plastic waste management by recycling it to 3D printing filament that can be used for prototyping and product development. However, bottlenecks in the supply chain make prototyping materials in Lamu prohibitively expensive and very time consuming to access. To resolve this we seek the services of a partner that can design and develop an extrusion machine with the following specifications:
- Extrusion Rate: at least 2.5kg per hour
- Filament Sizes: 1.75mm and 2.85mm
- Material Input Size: flakes and pellets
- Material Capacity: Hopper
- Universal Power Input: 220 VAC, 60hz
<<< Click here to access the Google form >>>
Award:
This is a partnership challenge. The Seeker will complete the review process and decide with regards to the Winning Solution(s). The winning solver will receive up to USD 2,000. The Seeker retains the right to choose the winning solver or any other solver as partner to implement the solution.
Your Solution
Provide details of the solution, implementation, and technical specifications. The total budget should not exceed USD 10,000.