Extending a '3D Hand', One Hand at a Time

Petaling Jaya, 15 April 2016 – The partnership between Ricoh Malaysia and Mr. Ew Chee Guan, local representative of E-Nable, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that helps the needy with a chance at having a literal 3D helping hand is now budding results.

The partnership that began in 2015, with the contribution of RM10,000.00 for Mr. Ew to build 3D limbs for amputees or people with amniotic band syndrome (ABS). A total of 7 recipients have benefited since this initiative took place. To date, Ew has received applications from around the region including Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Singapore.

“Our partnership with Mr. Ew came about when he won the individual category at Ricoh Malaysia’s Imagine 3D Contest last year. Noting his plight and good work, it was only natural for us to be part of this movement which has seen fruition. With the advent of 3D technologies reaching our shores, such innovations are now more accessible to Malaysians and affordable than the initial impression. We saw an opportunity to speak to the public about such technologies through the CSR window,” said Mr. Peter Wee, Managing Director of Ricoh (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

“The wonders and capabilities of a 3D printer are endless. Designed for the use of niche markets back then, 3D printers are now for the innovator in everyone and at the same time for a good cause. On average, it takes an hour to 3D print a single finger, 15 hours for a palm and up to 200 hours for a lower arm. Some special cases require more materials to create an elaborate limb which we call the myoelectric hand powered by hardware and software components such as microprocessors and motor parts,” quoted Ew.

In a recent case, Mr. Kong submitted an application to E-Nable for his 7-year old daughter, Kong Kai Li who has ABS. Being the closest volunteer in the region, Ew assembled a piece for Kai Li, who is now one of the recipients of the 3D prosthetic hand.

“It was not until my husband (Kong), searched long and hard for a solution and eventually discovered E-Nable. We are truly grateful for E-Nable and Ricoh Malaysia’s for the initiation in such CSR activities. We hope this will create greater awareness among the public and ultimately prompt them to come forward to look for a solution,” said Mrs. Chang Siew Yeng, Kai Li’s mother.

With the awareness of 3D printed prosthetic hands being on the rise, it has assisted many individuals to progress better from their initial condition.

“Amidst growing demands for prosthetic hands being increasingly costly, the collaboration with Ricoh Malaysia has allowed more people, young and old from all walks of life to approach E-Nable,” said Ew in a recent statement. “Through this courteous cooperation with Ricoh Malaysia, I have been able to produce more 3D limbs within a short timeframe. It is the contentment of giving back that made me pursue this hobby during my spare time. I am sincerely glad to work on board as a credible partner with Ricoh Malaysia towards this worthy cause.”

Wee concluded, “Remaining true to our Imagine. Change. brand tagline, Ricoh continues to evolve, inspire and drive innovative engineering. We believe that the power of imagination is a catalyst for greater improvement and inspiring others,” he added.

Ew, a modest 46-year old self-employed industrial electronic design and maintenance technician from Batu Pahat initially built a 3D printer with the intention of printing industrial parts. Ew’s talent and fondness to fix and build things, at the same time solve problems as a child grew into hobby that eventually proved beneficial to those in need. In 2014, he discovered E-Nable, a global network of volunteers based in the U.S. who use 3D printing to create 3D printed upper limb assistive devices to anyone in the world in need of a “Helping Hand”.

For more information on E-Nable, log on to their website: http://enablingthefuture.org/

Know of anyone in need of a ‘hand’? Register here: http://goo.gl/AyuAWA

Watch a recipient receiving a 3D hand here: http://tinyurl.com/hjo68r8

Visit the Ricoh E-store at: https://ricohmy.direct2u.store/ or call 1-300-88-8228.

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| About Ricoh |

Ricoh is a global technology company that has been transforming the way people work for more than 80 years. Under its corporate tagline – imagine. change. – Ricoh continues to empower companies and individuals with services and technologies that inspire innovation, enhance sustainability and boost business growth. These include document management systems, IT services, production print solutions, digital cameras, and industrial systems.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in over 190 countries. In the financial year ending March 2015, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,231 billion yen (approx. 18.5 billion USD).

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com

|About E-Nable|

E-Nable is a non-profit, non-stock corporation created to support the E-Nable community and its goals through a variety of programs including operations, research and development, outreach, education and training for users, families, friends, students, teachers, makers, and medical professionals. The E-Nable community comprise of a worldwide movement of tinkerers, engineers, 3D print enthusiasts, occupational therapists, university professors, designers, parents, families, artists, students, teachers and people who just want to make a difference. They come together to create, innovate, re-design and give a helping ‘hand’ through 3D printing hands and fingers for children they have never met.