July 6, 2015 | By Simon

Among all of the exciting developments that have come out of the additive manufacturing industry - regardless if you’re a consumer or a professional - it’s hard to deny that some of the most inspirational stories that put the technology to good use involve the production of 3D printed prosthetic devices.   

In addition to being a low cost alternative to traditionally manufactured prosthetic devices, which many users forego using due to weight, aesthetic and other reasons, 3D printing allows prosthetic wearers and their creators to fabricate custom-tailored solutions that not only meet functional requirements for a user, but can also be easily replaced or replicated as a user ages (in the case of a young prosthetic wearer) or for a range of other task-related purposes with slight design modifications.  

But while the 3D printed prosthetics have been life changing for a wide range of users and are no doubt revolutionary, there are some features that have left much to be desired amongst some of their users.  Among others, this includes the design and engineering of the finger joints - or ‘phalanges’.

Among others who have explored creating a viable solution that pairs the functions of a human hand with a low cost, 3D printable offering for those in need of an arm and hand prosthetic device include industrial designer Fraser Leid.  Leid’s ‘Printed Prehensile’ 3d printed prosthetic is among one of the more advanced concepts designed that mimics the human hand.  

Although it is currently in just a concept stage, the Prehensile is one of the most accurate designs that could theoretically work for reproducing a human hand for a prosthesis wearer that’s not only functional - but also easy on the eyes.  

“What many haven’t been able to achieve is a prosthetic that registers similar characteristics with the human appendage,” says Leid.  

“Though rough around the edges, Prehensile offers the user to combine an elegant form with hardy, easy-to-incorporate materials, to make the hand not only normal to the eye, but attractive.”

Leid, who was born in Cape Town and is currently residing in the United Kingdom, cleverly designed the Printed Prehensile hand around an open-air housing design that not only gives a user direct access to their synthetic ligaments, but also highlights the functionality of the 3D printed prosthetic as a form of aesthetic value.    

In total, the Printed Prehensile emulates 27 bones within the biological human hand and the internal rigging consists of various thicknesses of aluminum tubing and coiled springs in order to provide highly-responsive functionality.  The core elastic driver behind the flexor and extensor movement is made from nylon and each of the individual digits requires two cords - which ultimately provide the option for a wearer to flex or extend the fingers that the cords are rigged to.  Each of the components of the hand are printed using ABS plastic and are individually assembled using either a snap-fit or stainless steel screws.  

For wearers who are assembling their own hands rather than purchasing one ready-made, the Printed Prehensile Kit would come with its own assembly kit which would feature all of the necessary steel and aluminum components along with the STL files for users to create their own hands at home on-demand.

While we’re still yet to see a functional prototype of the Printed Prehensile, it’s clear that the design is not only one of the most functional 3D printed prosthetic we’ve seen - but also highly-doable.  

 


Posted in 3D Printing Applications

 

 

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