Schools, libraries, communities, and other public institutions in Poland’s Msovian Voivodeship province will receive 180 3D printers and related technology from Zortrax in an effort to prevent further “digital exclusion.” (Image: Zortax)
In an effort to combat digital exclusion, Polish 3D printer and filament manufacturer Zortrax will provide 180 public benefit institutions in Poland’s most populated province, Masovian Voivodeship, with the company’s 3D printers.
According to Zortrax, digital exclusion “is a lack of access to the internet and the incompetence in this topic, for many reasons.”
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A Zortrax representative added in an email to PD&D, “The truth is that we can talk about digital exclusion even when the specific website is unadaptated to the needs of disabled people, when people don’t have the free access to the computer and don’t have the basic news about the latest technologies.”
Schools, communities, and libraries are among the beneficiaries of the delivery, which will be completed by the end of November. Those receiving the printers will also be trained how to use the technology through Zortax-backed training courses. Each will receive production materials for one year, along with necessary software.
“We can also provide education through our professional e-learning platform. This will soon allow the local communities to spread their competences within the scope of the latest 3D printing technologies. These actions are also aimed at strengthening Poland’s position on the 3D printing market,” said Zortrax CEO Rafał Tomasiak regarding the announcement.
According to Zortax, many of Poland’s citizens don’t have access to progressive technologies. Smaller communities will benefit the most from the aid. The company said that governmental bodies within Poland are trying to aid the smaller villages through increased opportunities and that its recently announced project is an extension of those efforts.
Learning how to operate a 3D printer could become more important in the future due to the technology’s expanding presence. In its announcement, Zortax cited information from global technology market analysis firm Canalys, which forecasted that the 3D printing market will rise by more than 56 percent between 2014 and the end of 2015.
Zortrax’s provision of the printers, software, and training are being donated using funds from the Mazovian Voivodeship.
Filed Under: 3D printing • additive manufacturing • stereolithography, Industrial automation
