3D printing revolution: Volunteer tech powers Ukraine's frontline
The full-scale war in Ukraine is now entering its fourth year, and it's important to highlight that many units are still heavily dependent on the efforts of volunteer groups employing the latest 3D printing technology. One such group is WildBees, which has delivered over three million various military items to Ukrainian soldiers. We offer a glimpse into their operations and some of their products.
Volunteer groups supporting Ukrainian fighters are not a recent development; the oldest was established during the conflicts with Russian "little green men" in early 2014-2015. These groups supplied the Ukrainian army with resources it was, for various reasons, unable to provide.
Widespread, large-scale assistance began after Russia invaded Ukraine fully on 24 February 2022. One individual who joined this volunteer movement is Eman, who coordinates aid for the Polish group WildBees. WildBees regularly organises fundraisers for equipment for Ukrainian soldiers.
In a conversation with WP Tech, he notes that, from his perspective, the enthusiasm for aiding Ukraine faded as early as 2022, but the needs have not diminished. In three years of operation, the WildBees group delivered over three million components and several hundred 3D printers to Ukraine.
3D printers are a huge support for Ukraine
3D printers have become the first choice for hobbyists because they allow for the quick and affordable creation of almost any required element. Companies also readily use printers to create prototypes. The most popular are printers for creating polymer parts, but solutions for printing metal components have also emerged in recent years.
In military applications, 3D printers are carefully scrutinised by entities like the US Army. Rebel groups in Myanmar (Burma) also use 3d printers, relying on the FGC-9 weapon project, among other things. Thus, it is no surprise that 3D printing supports Ukrainian soldiers.
As Eman admitted, the WildBees group produces many components, and interesting projects appear daily. Our printers have processed thousands of different models. I've seen printed components for the FGM-148 Javelin and HMMWV. "
During the war, flight stabilisers are commonly seen. When added to regular grenades or calibres 30/40 mm, they ensure that a grenade dropped from a drone has an enhanced flight trajectory, improving accuracy. Another group comprises polymer shells, which, after adding shrapnel and explosive material with a fuse, serve as replacements for mortar rounds often previously used as bombs for drones.
This, however, is just a small portion of the military equipment portfolio produced for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The larger part is classified.
The aid from WildBees goes beyond just stabilisers and shells for grenades
However, this is not the end, as the WildBees group also produces many non-kinetic accessories. The first was trench periscopes, which proved effective during World War I. They allow soldiers to observe the situation and adjust fire from a grenade launcher (or mortar) without having to expose themselves, which is extremely valuable, especially with the presence of snipers with thermal vision and artillery fire. WildBees has sent tens of thousands to Ukraine and has numerous testimonials asserting that they have saved the lives of many soldiers.
Another highly valued gadget is magazine loaders, which allow soldiers to quickly load loose rounds in pockets, cartons, or boxes in a trench. Given the intensity of Russian assaults, the standard issue of four or eight magazines for a rifle rapidly depletes.
Loading them under stress by a fatigued soldier is more challenging than it seems, and such a loader is incredibly helpful. This is especially true when reloading while wearing gloves in freezing temperatures is necessary. Furthermore, loading, for instance, 10 magazines in succession causes discomfort for soldiers' fingers.
According to Eman, the initial design was adapted from a Russian group on Telegram, after which WildBees USA colleagues reworked it and supplied it to the front. Within a week, they received a clear response expressing urgent demand. Since December 2023, tens of thousands of loaders have been delivered, with ongoing refinements based on feedback from soldiers in the field.
The third category includes equipment for demining, marking mines, or models used in schools or sapper courses in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The WildBees Sweden group, supported by the Safe Pro AI/Demining Research Community, is particularly active in the latter category. "Eman" also mentioned a new project, "Mine Markers," aimed at developing and producing equipment for marking mines, with the first batch of prototypes already sent to the AFU. Mines are prevalent in Ukraine, and disarming them is an exceedingly dangerous task where any tools that minimise the risk of explosion are invaluable.
Additionally, the WildBees group produces, using 3D printing, readily available and inexpensive components for pocket drone detector housings and release mechanisms.
Based on his personal experience, I also asked Eman what he would like to say to those who doubt the purpose or are critical of helping Ukraine.
