Two-day maker workshop with Ashesi Design Lab, Penn State’s Alliance for Education, Science, Engineering and Design with Africa, and the AIR Centre, a trans-national research consortium. Part of developing the “scanopy” environmental sensor for third-generation AMP spacecraft.
Download from a selection of 3E-Manuals (Electrical & Electronic Equipment) here below. You can also do a keyword search using the search bar or browse the cloud of tags. Enjoy making and let us know any edits to amplify this initial work. We look forward to hear from you: info@qamp.net!
(A long-term goal of the AMP digital platform ~qampnet~ is to digitize material reality and better position automation to assist with ambiance creation. A first step is to help make people aware of what is inside their devices and equipment.)
Air Conditioner [Front & Back]
qamp.net/tag/ac/
Search @qampnet: air conditioner
Computer Desktop [Front & Back]
qamp.net/tag/computer/
Search @qampnet: computer
Microwave oven [Front & Back]
qamp.net/tag/microwave/
Search @qampnet: microwave oven
Mobile Phone [Front & Back]
qamp.net/tag/mobile-phone/
Search @qampnet: mobile phone
Plastics [Front & Back]
qamp.net/tag/plastics/
Search @qampnet: plastic
Refrigerator [Front & Back]
qamp.net/tag/fridge/
Search @qampnet: fridge or refrigerator
Monitor CRT [Front & Back]
qamp.net/tag/monitor/
Search @qampnet: tv
Washing Machine [Front & Back]
qamp.net/tag/washing-machine/
Search @qampnet: washing machine
More on spacecrafting:
For many designers across the globe, language (words) form the bedrock of design thinking: “Words are tools for architectural design; for the development of design intent or strategy, as well as construct the ideas that drive its creation” (Eckler, 2012) [1].
The Agbogbloshie makerspace, is essentially, a community “toolbox” for Agbogbloshie. It was conceived as a spacecraft. This choice of a word served both as a starting point and driver for the design. With AMP co-pi DK Osseo-Asare as the lead on the design team, the AMP spacecraft was designed with mobility in mind, as are other crafts like an air craft, or even space faring vehicles (spacecrafts). As a community kiosk with hand tools, the idea of crafting (making with ones hands) was pivotal in addition to the fact that, these tools enable the spacecraft to replicate itself. Hence it can be read as a place where space is crafted.
Beyond these, the influence of space travel is relevant to the Agbogbloshie makerspace. Here, the toxic electronic landscape which is unfavourable for human habitation is likened to an extra-terrestrial planetary body. Hence, the arrival of a spacecraft could imply the commencement of a process of terraforming–the hypothetical notion that, in order to be habitable and/or conducive for human habitation, atmospheres and ecology of other planets can be modified. From this point of view, the arrival of the AMP spacecraft in Agbogbloshie is the commencement of a process of spatial change or transformation, a notion which is itself deeply related to crafts (vehicles).
In summary, the spacecraft is:
In terms of the structure, the AMP spacecraft is modular and has a frame consisting of 12 octet trusses per module. (See video here). Each octet truss is made up of steel angle bars, flat plates and rods, which form a series of half octahedra all welded together into a singular structural unit. The intention is to fill in the structural frame with materials sourced from within the Agbogbloshie landscape such as old refrigerator doors, which will constitute composite “precast” insulated panels.
For the past three weeks week as part of AMPQAMP, the process of crafting the first module of the spacecraft continued starting in Hub Accra with theorizing and brainstorming about the spacecrafts systems and components, and ending in Kokrobite with the fabriacation of the first full scale octet truss, after several prototypes and mockups. It was a long tedious and yet highly exciting process where our desire for high level of precision and accuracy meant cutting and re-cutting, measuring and re-measuring, until we arrived at fairly satisfactory results.
Thanks to master welder Badu and his assistant, we had a fruitful learning experience. Their process was particularly interesting to us because, they used a grinder that was itself “e-waste” sourced from Agbogbloshie. As a space of convergence, the spacecraft which is a place for interaction and sharing (and will exist both as a tangible place, and a fully functional virtual platform) will soon land in Agbogbloshie. Stay tuned!!!
1. Eckler, F.J 2012, “Language of Space and Form: Generative Terms for Architecture”, John Wiley and Sons, New Jersey, page 1.
***
See also:
#ampqamp14 ran June through August, 2014 at the Kokrobitey Institute, Hub Accra (now Impact Hub Accra) and the Agbogbloshie scrapyard, in collaboration with Togo’s Wɔɛlab. #ampqamp14 focused on M&D (Makers & Development, a practical hands-on approach to R&D) for the spacecraft, while #ampqamp15 focused on codesign of the AMP app.
Participants included:
| Name | Area of specialisation | Institution |
| Michael ACQUAH | Physics | University of Cape coast |
| Divine KWAME | Communication design | University of Cape coast |
| Maame Amma ANINKORA | Physics | University of Ghana |
| Rejoyce DOUMON | Psychology | University of Ghana |
| Louis BADOE | Medicine | University of Ghana |
| Nutifafa Yao DOUMON | Teaching Assistant, Physics | University of Ghana |
| Etornam AVOUGLA | Graduate (Maths & Statistics) | University of Ghana |
| Samuel AMOAKO-FRIMPONG | Aerospace engineering | Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology |
| Daniel Henneh ADU | Electrical engineering | Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology |
| Timothy AFFRAM | Mechanical Engineering | Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology |
| Leonce Olorode ATANLEY | Electrical Engineering | Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology |
| Martine PANDAM | Maker | WOELAB Togo |
| Kokou Dieudonnei AYEBUA | Maker | WOELAB Togo |
| Yannick MENSAH | Maker | WOELAB Togo |
| Rhodes O. AUDRE | Maker | WOELAB Togo |
| Kakatsi K.E. TEDO | Maker | WOELAB Togo |
| Lena KORSAH | Designer | Kokrobitey Institute |
| Natalie FORDWOR | Programs Manager | Kokrobitey Institute |
| Chamil MADHAWA | Production Manager | Kokrobitey Institute |
| Renee NEBLETT | Art Education | Kokrobitey Institute |
| Rafa FONT (Recyhub) | Sustainable development | Royal Holloway, University of London |
| Mawuena BANINI | Architecture | Central University College |
| Emmanuel Kusi OFORI-SARPONG | Architecture | Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology |
| Kuukuwa MANFUL | Architecture | Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology |
| Ivy ASUO | Physics and Materials Science | Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology |
| Yasmine ABBAS | Design & Architecture | AMP co-founder |
| DK OSSEO-ASARE | Design & Architecture | AMP co-founder |
The AMP team guided Archibots: Remaking Agbogbloshie design participants through Agbogbloshie by first introducing them to the the executives of the scrap dealers’ association. We proceeded through Rauf’s shop, where large volumes of refrigerators are processed, to the National Youth Authority Building, through dismantling and processing sites, past the areas where copper cables are burnt and all the way to the plastics recycling sector near the International Central Gospel Church.
Back to Hub Accra (thanks for hosting us!), the fun could begin! After hearing a brief introduction about AMP (DK Osseo-Asare, AMP co-PI) and the objectives of the design workshop (Juliet Sakyi, TAP: Build founder), participants brainstormed about possible architecture robots for Agbogbloshie and its population. Sam Yusuf, who hails from Agbogbloshie and currently works with AMP on interviews and GPS mapping, also attended in order to share some of the ideas with informal sector community. MESH has prepared a video showing highlights of the event.
Amongst the multitude of ideas that emerged, participants chose to pursue investigating the following: SMOKEYBOT – a robot that reduces the smoke in Agbogbloshie by grinding and processing copper wires ; SOLARBOT – a mobile tent, with a capacity to harvest solar energy, detect light and intelligently self adjust to provide conducive working environments ; SPIDERBOT – a zoomorphic robot with the ability to collect, transport and process large volume of e -waste at a time and a POWERSUIT – an apparel for humans, with the capacity to read, interpret and transmit biological data to the wearer, boost physical performance and contain computing capacity.
Teams self-organized once more to each tackle one of the 4 ideas selected. In the future a swarm of similar architecture robots could be used to terraform the electronic landscape…
So the adventure isn’t finished yet… Participants have expressed their interest in following-up with M&D – Making and Development. AMP is actually formalizing a 3 week summer workshop, so stay tuned!
The turnout was awesome and we thank all participants for coming and our partner organisations MESH and Tap for their support and contributions.
On Monday, the 12th of May 2014, the AMP team was at the college of engineering KNUST, meeting up with the Creativity Group of the college and students from around the university, for an AMP information session. The session provided attendants with information about the QAMP summer program and invited them to be a part of the AMP maker collective. In addition to this, the team will also provided information about AMP workshops, such as the impending Archibots: Remaking Agbogblodshie workshop, future workshops and encouraged them to apply to attend these. The team learned a lot from the interaction. Some of the projects that the students of the creativity group, expressed interest in were the bicycle with a pedal-powered grinding wheel (for pulverizing electronic waste), the EEE manual and research into material flows. The team had a wonderful time at KNUST and looks forward to an exciting summer full of fresh ideas.
For the past few months, the AMP team has engaged e-waste workers within Agbogbloshie. This time, on Saturday the 26th of April, the team organized its latest workshop intended to initiate the conversation with the STEAM world, who form a critical part of the AMP platform. Eventually, these professionals will come together with the e-waste workers and makers in Agbogbloshie to form the AMP makers collective. The knowledge that these professionals bring to the Agbogbloshie site will be useful for achieving AMP targets such as empowering makers to handle e-waste according to best practices and enabling makers to upcycle e-waste into value-added products.
The agenda was to:
The workshop took place at the lower lecture hall of the Physics department in the University of Ghana, Legon. Students from the host physics department, as well as chemistry, computer science and psychology students attended. There were also students from the architecture department of the Central University College. In all, there were 50 participants.
The workshop started with an introduction of the AMP team, followed by an interactive session, during which members of the AMP team engaged in conversation with the students.
After the interaction and lecture, participants were divided into four groups and made to work on the various projects. Each team documented the brand, the year of manufacture, and all other information they considered relevant. They were required to state to the best of their knowledge, which components were in the equipment and to what other uses these could be put.
We discovered that students from the physics department in particular had a fundamental awareness of the nature and uses of parts, as well as how these contributed to the total functioning of the equipment. After this session each team presented its findings to the larger group of participants.
Upon the completion of the workshop, participants by way of evaluation, passed on comments such as:
The program was insightful and inspirational. I am very happy I came and met other brilliant students and how they agitated minds to think critically. A great experience that will stay with me a long time.
A successful workshop in my opinion. I learned a lot and I am happy to know that such great ideas are being implemented. As I leave, my mind is racing through ways I can contribute to this positive revolution.
See photos on Flickr : STEAM Photos
“Map showing the study area.” in Martin Oteng-Ababio, Electronic Waste Management Ghana – Issues and Practices (.pdf)
A conundrum is created as to whether e-waste recycling is an “economic boom or an
environmental doom”. The nexus becomes more complex particularly at Agbogbloshie, the hub of e-waste activities in Ghana, where there is nothing like “waste”; where every object, component, and material has “value”. On the daily basis, computers and televisions are regularly bought and sold, assembled, disassembled, and reassembled. They disintegrate into their constituent materials-plastics, glass,
and metals. Plastic printer cases are smashed with rudimentary tools including hammer, spanner, chisel and even the bare hands.
(p. 153)
AMP 