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The EU is investigating options to ensure products are repairable for up to 10 years. Some product categories are already required to comply. See https://www.eu

The EU is investigating options to ensure products are repairable for up to 10 years. Some product categories are already required to comply. See https://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/en/shopping-internet/spare-parts-and-repairs.html https://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/en/shopping-internet/spa... Fully supportive of such initiatives to make spare parts available directly or indirectly. Hopefully we see companies release designs after EOL/EOS dates that allow 3D printing (where feasible) in time. I've managed to extend the life of products (primarily my coffee grinder) by finding 3d printing designs online.

nradov 3y ago
The notion of 3D printing a replacement for a cracked plastic laptop case isn't very realistic for most consumers or school districts. If we want these devices to last longer then they will have to be designed for robustness, which will make them heavier and more expensive.
- prepend 3y ago
  I think it would be perfectly fine to order a piece online for $4 and have it show up in a few days. Although every school in my county has a few 3d printers, so some schools could print directly.
  - Filligree 3y ago
    > Although every school in my county has a few 3d printers, so some schools could print directly. Shared 3D printers almost always produce poor quality, inaccurate prints. Never mind maintenance, using them requires skill. Skill which teachers usually lack, and schoolchildren obviously lack. They're still useful devices, but I wouldn't expect such prints to be strong enough and accurate enough to do the job.
  - nradov 3y ago
    A replacement for a cracked laptop case isn't going to cost $4 regardless of how it's manufactured.