The mission of IC3D is to expand human potential by making manufacturing accessible to everyone. We cannot expand human potential, however, until we also expand access. One of the greatest impacts we can have on tomorrow’s manufacturing capabilities is by inspiring children with new technologies, such as 3D printing. This is one of the driving motivations behind IC3D’s Annual 3D Printed Toys for Tots Campaign.

The campaign sees 3D printers — both human and machine — coming together to 3D print toys for the greater Marines Toys for Tots program. IC3D provides free filament and toy designs to a growing network of individuals who 3D print the toys. This network has grown from 10 close friends to over 400 people across the country — including school clubs, makerspaces, corporations, YouTubers, hobbyists, and more. As we grow, we are constantly facing new challenges to solve, and with each new challenge, we get a glimpse of future possibilities.

The biggest challenge any new endeavor faces is uncertainty — will this work? For IC3D’s first campaign in 2018, some might consider the results underwhelming. A box of 150 toys does not look very impressive. However, those toys are 150 new smiles. It means we did it, and we can do it again. We learned what we want from the toy design, we learned how to coordinate with the US Marine Reserves, and we also learned that people want to be involved. Once we started talking about what we had done, it was easy to recruit more volunteers.

The second year brought excitement, risk, and breakthrough. With booths at the East Coast Rep Rap Festival (ERRF) and MakerX — a local maker fair in Columbus, OH — we were able to actively recruit for the campaign. Twenty six people signed up to be Printer Elves, increasing the coordination needed for delivery of twice as much filament and twice as many toy deliveries. The toy count also increased nearly tenfold leading to more time cleaning and inspecting the toys.

Learning from the logistical challenges of the 2019 campaign enabled IC3D to quickly respond in a time of crisis the following year as the covid-19 virus spread in the U.S. People with 3D printers that had been making toys could now make face shield visors instead. It was the same routine: IC3D provides the material and design, printers make the parts, then IC3D collects and distributes the finished item. We recognized the power of a distributed manufacturing model, and we were able to demonstrate that power at a critical moment.

As previously mentioned, whenever we share the Toys for Tots Campaign, others are pulled into the story. This is most evident by the incredible growth we experienced in 2020. Considering lockdowns and remote working conditions, people were eager to be part of something big. We saw volunteers grow to 124, and we received our first official sponsorship from NatureWorks — the resin supplier behind production grade IC3D PLA.

While impressed and overjoyed by the over 18,000 toys that the Printer Elves produced, IC3D was also left with a new challenge: capacity. The team behind this campaign is 5 people, and 18,000 toys stretched our capacity to its limit. One of our team members was tasked with delivering toys across the states of Ohio and Michigan. We knew we would need a new strategy the following year if we wanted to continue growing.

When planning this year’s campaign, one word became the focal point: sustainability. That word informed several decisions including spool return solutions, incorporating recycled materials, partnering with a nonprofit organization to increase fundraising opportunities, and creating ElfHubs. ElfHubs are Printer Elves who have agreed to receive toys for their region, to count and quality check them, and to deliver them to a local Marines Toys for Tots location. There are 20 ElfHubs — including Alaska — creating a greater impact on communities and children across the country. By alleviating the strain on our small team and including ElfHubs in the process, we can maximize the impact and create a more sustainable model moving forward.

IC3D rarely does the same thing twice. Our CEO, Michael Cao, once said “I am not very comfortable being comfortable“, and that ethos has permeated our company. We could have completed the campaign our 3rd year and decided “That was a little too much, let’s tone it down next year.” Instead, we brainstormed ways to manage growth moving forward even if it is not always comfortable. You can’t expand human potential from a place of comfort.

The Network for Adaptive Human Technology seeks to enhance the adaptability of individuals to technological change, increase community awareness of technological advances, and promote community-based economic development by providing to the general public, and supporting others in providing, education and training on innovative technologies such as digital manufacturing, AI-controlled devices, and renewable energy systems. NAHT is a charitable organization that has applied to the IRS for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.