Solutions to win: Ukrainian 3D printer owners revolutionize Defense Forces’ supplies with innovative DrukArmy initiative

Technology is a vital weapon in today's warfare, and each 3D printer is a valuable tool on the front lines. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers, 3D printing in Ukraine has become crucial in supplying the army with essential components, ranging from ammunition to medical equipment.

Epravda reports that.

What is the problem?

The military always seeks cost-effective solutions for producing items such as drone shells, mines, medical equipment, rifle parts, radios, and drones. With a 3D printer, a grenade can be transformed into a drone shell, and a simple quadcopter can become a bomber.

Since 2014, volunteers have been producing these goods in Ukraine for their military comrades. However, small groups of printers are no longer sufficient. To meet the army's demands, millions of accurately crafted parts and shells are required, delivered to the front in a timely manner.

What is the solution?

Some volunteers had an idea to bring together all individuals with printers and operate as a single defense factory by:

• immediately placing essential items on the production line,
• standardizing products,
• creating unique solutions,
• and educating new printer operators.

Compassionate Ukrainians started this movement, and now, it is manifested as "DrukArmy" [Print Army in Ukrainian – ed.] —an innovative platform that has transformed ordinary printers into a means of producing defense materials.

How does it work?

"During the Second World War, women and children stood at the machines and made ammunition. We are not in a better situation now, so a 3D printer should be in every Ukrainian house," the head of "DrukArmy" Mykyta Kuvikov, better known under the pseudonym Yevhen Volnov, said.

Over the past two years, the organization has:

• joined together and trained thousands of printer operators,

• established a design bureau,
• implemented quality control and established channels for receiving feedback from the military and managing logistics,
• set up a central platform for coordinating the efforts of its volunteers.

"DrukArmy" united over 10,000 printers, which now print and deliver hundreds of thousands of parts to the front weekly.

According to Kuvikov, the process is automated, allowing the military to order necessary parts through an online platform and providing printers with patterns and instructions for production.

^{Layouts of "DrukArmy." Photo: epravda}

Approximately 3,000 printers in the community are currently available to accept new orders. Over 15,000 military personnel have joined the platform and can select the necessary products for their unit from our free catalog.

The "DrukArmy" catalog contains approximately 500 unique products, most of which were designed by its team. The dedicated group of volunteer engineers with expertise in 3D modeling is responsible for research and development. Usually, the development process starts with a request from the military, who then test the prototype in the field and provide feedback.

Competition with resellers

Due to the generous donations towards the acquisition of raw materials and the financial aid from the partners, "DrukArmy" functions on the following basis: products are either given to the military for free or sold at the cost of materials.

On the other hand, there are entrepreneurs who raise the prices of 3D-printed products, prompting volunteers to step in and offer more affordable and top-notch products to compete against these inflated prices.

Learning, coordination, innovation

One component of the "DrukArmy" initiative involves training novice printer operators. The organization has extensively designed instructions, lectures, and resources to aid individuals in mastering the skills needed to operate 3D printers, including selecting appropriate models and materials. This enables individuals with varying levels of experience to contribute efficiently to the production of essential goods.

Among the members of "DrukArmy" are individuals from different age groups and occupations. Whether students or retirement-aged, each printer is capable of fulfilling orders, resulting in cost savings for military units.

Even foreigners join the ranks of the "DrukArmy." Transporting products from abroad is not very profitable, but people do it anyway.

"This is psychology. You make a physical object with your own hands that kills a p…a ​​[swear words used to refer to a Russian occupier – ed.]. This makes you involved in a big cause," the volunteer believes.

The entry threshold into this activity is relatively low: a basic printer costs UAH 10,000, and plastic costs UAH 350 per kilogram.

"One kilogram of plastic is 15 parts for "dropping" grenades, each of which can hit the occupier," Volnov says.

A new user must register on the site.

On the way to mass production

DrukArmy has already supplied the army with over 275 tons of 3D-printed parts, and this trend is rapidly gaining traction. These parts include:

• 3.3 million grenade-dropping components;
• 2.9 million shells;
• hundreds of thousands of parts for drones and infantry weapons;
• models and adapters for devices;
• products for sappers;
• medical equipment

Currently, the "DrukArmy" is storing products in warehouses, preparing for large-scale power outages. When production slows during winter, the most in-demand items will be distributed from pre-prepared stock.

The organization is expanding its focus beyond printing, bringing together volunteers with skills in net weaving, electronic soldering, and working with more advanced tools.

Even though there isn't sufficient material for production, the volunteers refuse to give up because every gram of plastic translates into tangible aid for the defenders of Ukraine. You are welcome to donate to the plastic collection here.