Introduction to Fixables: Philips’ New Sustainability Initiative

Philips has launched a pioneering program called Fixables, which enables customers to 3D print replacement parts for their personal care products. The introductory video showcases this innovative approach as a more efficient and convenient way to extend the lifespan of functional items rather than discarding them due to a single broken part or attachment. Philips has collaborated with Prusa Research and LePub on this project, and the plans are hosted on Printables.

**Limitations and Caveats**

However, there are certain limitations and caveats to this concept. The quality of the replacement part will depend on the materials used to create it, and not every customer has access to a 3D printer at home. Although, some public library systems, universities, and local maker communities may have equipment that can be used or rented on site.

Early Stages of the Project

The Fixables initiative is still in its early stages. Initially, it is launching in the Czech Republic, which is the home country of Prusa Research. On the website for the Fixables program (in Czech), Philips explains that it is leveraging Prusa Research’s existing maker community for this project. Currently, only one part plan is available: a comb attachment for the OneBlade trimmer. However, according to Google Translate, two more plans are labeled as “We are working on it,” and there are three different icons with no descriptions that point to additional plans. The Fixables website also features an option for customers to submit a request for parts they want to be able to 3D print.

**A Step Towards Sustainability**

Although Fixables is still far from making a significant impact on reducing waste from personal care products, it is encouraging to see a major brand like Philips making a serious effort to explore the potential of 3D printing for better sustainability.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/philips-fixables-will-let-you-3d-print-replacement-parts-for-your-electric-razors-and-trimmers-233025245.html?src=rss


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