- Fixable Philips opens the door to DIY repairs with a program built around 3D printing files
- A small part printed in 3D could mark a major change in the way the repairs are carried out
- Do not be too excited, only one part is available, and it is not yet widely accessible
Philips has launched an initiative called Fixable Philips, a program that allows customers to download and print 3D replacement parts for certain products.
According to Tom’s equipment, this is an effort at an early stage with a limited deployment so far, but which signals wider changes in the way technological companies can start to support the longevity of the products.
The project is currently managed in the Czech Republic, where Philips collaborates with Prusa Research and Lepub.
Rare movement towards open-source repair
Currently, the program includes a single part – a 3 mm comb attachment for a Philips razor – but the company claims that additional components will be added over time.
To print a compatible part, customers will download the corresponding file from Printables.comA platform widely used by amateurs and manufacturers.
Although the best 3D printers can reproduce complex parts with impressive precision, the successful results depend strongly on users according to the printing parameters recommended by Philips. The company warns that the differences, such as the reduction in filling to save time or filament, could lead to lower or unusable parts.
As with any new idea, it remains to be seen if it will succeed in practice. Users can eventually print lower parts that fail several times, leading to frustration rather than effective repairs.
It is also not known how much Philips will expand the program or what types of components will be included afterwards.
The Philips fixable website allows customers to request specific parts. If it is approved, Philips says that he will advise users when these parts are available for download.
However, there is currently no public calendar for reversal, and there are no transparent criteria to determine which parts will be accepted. This can limit the usefulness of the program in its early form.
However, this decision is remarkable. At a time when the best 3D printers and laser engravers are often limited by proprietary ecosystems, offering open source repair files, even in limited capacity, is rare.
This initiative echoes the recent efforts of other companies, such as the Logitech partnership with IFIXIT, which is also replacing the replacement.
