Repair Café Syke: High-tech 3D printers for new paths to success!

Repair Café Syke: High-tech 3D printers for new paths to success!

In the heart of Syke, specifically on platform 1, the local repair café has made a quantum leap in its technology. A new “Prusa Core One” 3D printer was purchased to take the repair options for electrical devices to a new level. With a cost of around 1,400 euros, this printer is intended to significantly increase the success rate for repairs. But that's not all: Smaller parts that are needed for repairs can now be produced cost-effectively yourself. Visitors can look forward to housings for a “Fritz box” or adapters for a “Croozer” trailer, which can now be produced directly on site, like this District newspaper reported.

With the funding of almost 10,000 euros provided by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Lower Saxony Ministry of Consumer Protection, it was not only possible to finance the 3D printer. A new workshop trolley and practical workplace lights with magnifying glasses also found their way into the workshop. The manager, Carola Gähler, has also given the volunteer repairers key authority, which ensures flexible working. The workshop ambience on platform 1 is ideal for even dirty work and storing the necessary tools.

Volunteers wanted!

The repair café has undergone a number of changes this year, not least due to the change of location and the technical upgrade. The team is currently actively looking for active volunteer support, especially in the IT area. Questions about the website and social media will also be addressed in the future. The team of repairers has set itself the goal of regularly reporting on their exciting repair projects.

A similar initiative is also taking place in Jakobus in Gurkenland, where a repair café was founded in May 2022. From March 2025, funding will also be provided there and events with experts will be held monthly. We are also looking for volunteers who have a 3D printer to produce spare parts. The goal of this initiative? Helping repair equipment and promoting community. Visitors can bring a maximum of one device; in some cases maybe even a second one, depending on the time. The success rate for repairs is over 60%. And while the visitors wait for the repairs, there is coffee and cake - which creates a pleasant atmosphere!

Repair options and conditions

These repair cafes have a variety of devices that can be repaired. From toasters to coffee machines to consumer electronics - everything is included, with the exception of cell phones and tablets. The repair is free, although funded by donations, and it is important that equipment is cleaned and prepared before repair. There is even a mini online repair café externally that offers digital repair advice. Anyone who would like to help with such initiatives is asked to bring their own materials and spare parts - this way you can actively contribute to solving problems, as is offered by jakobus-im-gurkenland.de is to be read.

In a world where sustainability and resource conservation are very important, repair cafés like those in Syke and Gurkenland are important. Not only do they promote craftsmanship, but they also strengthen the community in which people work together to keep things alive that might otherwise end up in the trash.