- Philips Fixables opens the door to DIY Repairs with a program built around 3D print files
- A small 3D -printed part can mark a big shift in how repairs are performed
- Don’t get too excited, only one part is available and it is not widely available yet
Philips has launched an initiative called Philips Fixables, a program that allows customers to download and 3D printing parts for certain products.
According to Tom’s hardware, this is an early stage effort with a limited roll-out so far, but one that signalizes broader changes in how tech companies can begin to support the product’s life.
The project is currently piloted in the Czech Republic, where Philips is working with Prusa Research and Lepub.
A rare movement toward open source repair
At present, the program only includes a part – a 3 mm match attachment to a Philips barber machine – but the company says additional components will be added over time.
To print a compatible part, customers will download the corresponding file from Printables.comA platform that is widely used by hobbyists and producers.
While the best 3D printers can replicate complicated parts with impressive accuracy, successful results depend a lot on users according to Philips’ recommended printing settings. The company warns that deviations, such as reduction of fill to save time or filament, can result in weaker or useless parts.
As with any new idea, it is left to see if this will succeed in practice. Users may end up printing subordinate parts that repeatedly fail, leading to frustration rather than effective repairs.
It is also unclear how quickly Philips will expand the program or what types of components will be included next.
The Philips Fixables site allows customers to request specific parts. If approved, Philips says it will notify users when these parts become available for download.
However, there is currently no public timeline for reversal, nor are there transparent criteria to determine which parts will be accepted. It can limit the usefulness of the program in its early form.
Still the move is remarkable. In an era where the best 3D printers and laser engravers are often limited by proprietary ecosystems, it is rare to offer open source repair files, even in limited capacity.
This initiative repeats the recent efforts of other companies, such as Logitech’s partnership with IFIXIT, which also rejects repair over replacement.
