Skyward: Fiji’s First 3D Printer Offer Services For Any Project
Nadi-based Skyward Industries believes it is first to build its own 3D commercially sized printer in the South Pacific. Skyward Industries chief executive officer, Kevin Rotsaert, said: “We have since launched our 3D Print Fiji brand to help offer 3D printing services to the public for any projects they might have.
“We revolutionise the technologies and methodologies used to get the job done right, through our very own Skyward research and development lab.”
3D printing plays a large role in allowing his team to rapidly prototype and build concepts before moving onto final stages of design and production.
Switch Gears, COVID-19
Over all these years, the 3D printing technology has been kept very quiet, for internal use and some of their corporate clients only.
Since business was slow as most of their projects were involved with the tourism sector, they decided to switch gears.
They started working on projects that would help the public in any small way possible.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Market Development Facility, and the Australian government, they locally designed and manufactured Fiji’s first locally made protective personal equipment (PPE) face shields.
Some of these face shields are now also used regionally in the South Pacific.
“This is an ongoing project, and we are very proud to continue supporting local businesses and organisations with locally made face shields,” said Mr Rotsaert.
“Today we continue our efforts, especially with COVID-19, climate change issues and alike, in producing locally built solutions and technologies to benefit everyone.”
Other projects
Since the successful integration of such a public project, Skyward Industry has looked at various other opportunities to enable more local solutions through experience and technology.
The group of engineers recently completed their third prototype of Fiji’s first locally made weather station.
The weather stations are only as big as your forearm, but have a water gauge, wind vane, climate change technologies, electronic systems, weather sensors, security equipment, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and more.
Skyward hopes to release this to the public as soon as February.
The team also noticed that since the pandemic, most Fijians have returned to farming and agriculture.
This is another issue they hope to address and help by making hydroponic kits, and making them affordable. There are still a few stages left to be able to complete the project.
Mr Rotsaert is encouraging Fijians to take advantage of the 3D printing service.
“Often, we find creative people who want to experiment with new products, projects, or anything of the sort. But have no way to easily test prototypes at affordable prices, until now,” he said.
Printing Farm
The industry has a farm of clock on various projects.
The printers are never idle and always working on exciting items.
Printing times largely depend on the size, strength and accuracy of the item that is being produced, ranging from under an hour to several weeks for a single print. To sustain the high-end equipment, they have dedicated large and stable redundant power supplies, a dedicated team, constant maintenance, and various other precautions for a steady operation.
About Skyward
Skyward Industries is the leading developer and service provider of emerging technologies in Fiji and the South Pacific.
It consists of a group of talented professionals across different Skyward departments, dedicated to creating meaningful change through superior services for several industries.
Skyward Industries office and laboratory is at Legalega Industrial Subdivision, Nadi,
Feedback: printers working around the
Skyward Industries chief executive officer Kevin Rotsaert (right) with engineers.