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Open-source 3D Printed Pipe Fittings Reduce Water Waste, New Study Argues
(3dprintingindustry.com)
this post was submitted on 26 Feb 2025
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and that is why standard sizes exist. The solution then, is to get every one on standardized sizing so the parts work.
The problems are that now somebody needs to have and maintain a printer. (I presume FDM, but resin or something would be more useful.) even then, the production is limited, and you're still having to source filament or whatever, as well as the parts necessary to maintain it. These parts are all more complicated than PVC pipe fittings are. (and depending on where we're talking, may not even be available for a variety of reasons.)
and when the part fails (as all things eventually do,) you're going to be right back where you started. You might be able to get another custom part printed. if the guy happens to still be around and availible.
Granted, the people running the study or setting up the open source fittings probably don't have the money to encourage people to replace their plumbing, but that's the solution that won't see us right back at the problem in a few years. or less.
There are recognized standards for piping and plumbing around the world. Which one do you use?
The issue is the longevity of the stuff. It lasts for decades and even generations. And over that time period we change the standards as new ideas and materials come into play. As a home owner, I have had to adapt new standards to nearly 100 year old standards. I've owned houses that had clay, cast iron, copper, galvanized steel, and pex randomly shotgunned into the house as every previous owner had done changes over time.
It would be nice it all piping and plumbing as identical around the world, but it ain't gonna happen, (and don't at me with the "metric would solve all that." Are you talking DIN or JIT or even what ever BS the Chinese are doing today).
I agree wholeheartedly. But replacing all of the piping will be very expensive. I think this is more geared towards the people who don't have the kind of money or expertise or both to replace their entire plumbing and this will help mitigate those issues by being able to connect weird sizes together. That's at least what I got from scanning the article.