What if affordable 3D printing could create what communities need most?  And, what if the material used to 3D print–was garbage?

That’s the vision that re:3D co-founder and catalyst Samantha Snabes and her team are bringing to life right now.

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Samantha’s Houston-based startup re:3D began in 2013 as the creator of the Gigabot®, the world’s largest industrial 3D printer–creating structures that start at eight cubic feet.   After Hurricane Maria, Gigabot® created 3D printed signs for Puerto Rico, along with other needed facilities.  Educational models for college classes, medical procedures and 3D printed sculptures are all within its capabilities.

And for every 100 Gigabot® printers sold, re:3D donates one to a community.

But they didn’t stop there.  They’ve prototyped, funded and are now manufacturing a brand-new printer: the Gigabot® X, which 3D prints from plastic waste!

At CES® 2019, re:3D won first place in the “Techstars” Pitch Competition, at Eureka Park®, for this concept.  We’ll look forward to updating you as the “Gigabot X” comes to market!

After CES®, Samantha shared the story of creating re:3D, offered a look at the road towards their ultimate goal of 3D printing from trash, and discussed the ways her team dealt with the unexpected challenges of three different hurricanes.

On this edition of Over Coffee® you will hear:

• What first started Samantha’s journey as a social entrepreneur (she’s a life scientist with a NASA background!);

• How re:3D came into being;

• Samantha’s recollections from her first days in South America, after receiving an invitation to work with Startup Chile;

• The experience she and her Gigabot co-creator had, launching Gigabot®’s  Kickstarter campaign during SXSW;

• How the campaign resulted in the creation of their social-enterprise startup;

• What had to happen next, for the team to create the Gigabot® X, which 3D prints from trash;

• How you can get involved (they’re hiring!);

• The challenges that faced Samantha and her company (courtesy of three hurricanes!) as they brought Gigabot® to Puerto Rico;

• Some of the coolest applications she’s seen, which makers have come up with, using the 3D printer;

• What it’s like, to use this 3D printer;

• How the program works, through which re:3D gives away one Gigabot® for every 100 they sell;

• Samantha’s advice to other young women who would like to be in 3D printing;

• Her vision for the future of 3D printing with Gigabot® X, five years down the road.