3D printing accelerates Ukrainian medical and defence part production

The ‘Tech Against Tanks’ initiative is led by Polish youth-led NGO, TeenCrunch. The project database platform supports the production and distribution of 3D printed medical, tactical and protective equipment from professional additive production hubs and local makers across Poland, Germany, and Ukraine.

TeenCrunch has partnered with Sygnis S.A. and 3YOURMIND in response to the ongoing Russian invasion.

“With company roots deeply embedded in Poland and Germany, 3YOURMIND is invested in the cause in Ukraine,” says Aleksander Ciszek, CEO and Co-Founder of 3YOURMIND. “With this distributed manufacturing database, we hope to engage engineers to create 3D designs that production facilities can utilise to print and deliver parts to aid Ukrainian people.”

Users can upload 3D part files to the platform and using the donated printers Ukrainians can manufacture and distribute parts with fewer logistics and supply chain disruptions.

Sygnis S.A has already donated 20 3D printers and over 380kg of 3D printing materials to the additive manufacturing community in Lviv who are currently printing items such as street periscopes and CAT tourniquets for the Ukrainian military.

European military institutions are also helping by identifying quick-to-print 3D parts that can be sent to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military is continuing to share information on medical and civilian equipment needed to aid the defence.

“I believe that our project with Sygnis and 3YOURMIND for supporting Ukraine will have a long-term value for this country, but will also support other countries and regions affected by war like Syria,” says Agnieszka Kranz, Co-Founder of TeenCrunch. “We want to show that technology like 3D printing might be the best solution against tanks, but we also see 3D printing as one of key resources after war for rebuilding Ukraine.”