3D Printing Assisted Product Design Addressing Refugees Needs

¹ International Hellenic University, School of Science and Technology, 57001 Nea Moudania, Greece
² University of Piraeus, Department of Industrial Management and Technology, 18534 Piraeus, Greece

^* Corresponding author: dkara@unipi.gr

Abstract

With one of the largest refugee crises of modern times currently occurring, the need for technology-based solutions to address related pressing issues is eminent. In the past few years, 3D printing has attracted considerable attention as a technology that could help to address specific refugees needs in a customized way. The aim of the presented work was to investigate and demonstrate the contribution of 3D printing to the design of specific products that could easily and rapidly manufactured to assist the refugees integration into the host country. Specifically, the undertaken study focused on facilitating the integration of refugees’ children into the Greek society through the design and 3D printed toys for educational purposes. It is demonstrated in this preliminary study that such 3D printed toys can be proven a powerful tool for improving the integration process of displaced people by making the learning of a new language a pleasurable experience.