Laser Engraving Machine

Laser engraving machines have been increasingly used in the manufacturing of accessories and jewelry, as well as for marking and engraving on various materials such as wood, metal and others. Laser optics and numerical computer control techniques (CNC) are used to direct the concentrated laser beam on different materials which melt, burn or evaporate leaving a high quality surface. Importing these machines is very expensive but many innovators have designed and manufactured their own machines locally!

If you are one of these innovators, take advantage of the opportunity to win 45,000 EGP provided by the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology to implement the proposed solution in collaboration with Al Tadamun Microfinance Foundation to manufacture the laser engraving machine. Please read on for more details!

Background

Since the flotation of the Egyptian Pound in November 2016, the price of exported laser engraving machines increased significantly, while it can be manufactured locally at a much lower cost. At the same time, importing products that uses the laser cutting or engraving technologies such as accessories and many handcrafts has declined given the unreasonably expensive prices. This represents an opportunity for local workshops that manufacture such products to increase their production and compete better in the market. Yet, they are hampered by the lack of affordable machines.

Al Tadamun Microfinance Foundation started in 1996 as a Group Guaranteed lending and Saving pilot project developed by the Egyptian field office of Save the Children USA, in partnership with the local NGO Women’s Health Improvement Association. In 2009, Al Tadamun Microfinance Program was registered as an independent NGO. In 2015, Al Tadamun obtained the license no. 1117 for practicing microfinance.

The Challenge

A locally-designed and manufactured laser cutting machine is required to engrave on non-metallic materials, especially leather,  to support local small workshops supported by Al Tadamun Microfinance Program and improve their products; the solution should fulfill the following requirements:

 

 

The solution should include the following requirements:

• Ventilation system for the disposal of smoke and vapors resulting from engraving and cutting processes.

• The machine’s control Software.

• User Manual explaining how to use the machine and the control software.

• Cables and connections needed for the machine to operate.

• All the needed tools for maintenance.

Reward and Conditions:

A 45,000 EGP reward provided by the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology will be presented to the best solution to be implement it in cooperation with Al Tadamun Microfinance Foundation according to the following conditions:

1. The  solution should be provided as a research showing tested results. You will have an advantage if it was done by you, your team or a local entity using local materials.

2. The reward will be given in installments, in accordance to milestones set by the innovator(s) according to their plan of action.

3. Preference is given to machines based on locally available components.

4. Machine functions and efficiency will be tested by the solution seeker before final approval.

5. The innovator / solver is committed to providing technical assistance to deal with any problems that may occur within the first 3 months after delivery of the machine.

6. The proposed solution should include a user manual, instructions and a training plan for employees to use the machine.

7. As per our platform Terms and conditions, in case the intellectual property rights are not registered, the innovator should include the minimum details required to judge the technical validity and feasibility of the solution without full technical specifications.

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