Design

An investigation into how parametric and generative design techniques can be employed in the creation of better prosthesis designs for 3D printing.

Current designs, particularly in the developing world, are created by highly skilled and specialized craftspeople, largely by hand. It is access to these craftspeople that is one of the major barriers to providing access to quality prosthesis.

Through employing low cost and open source technologies such as digital camera based 3D scanning (to replace plaster casting) and FDM 3D printing (replacing construction), it is hoped that the prosthetist can be freed, to some extent, from the labour of construction. Giving them more time for fitting and rehabilitation work.

The printing of simultaneous materials allows for variable material properties to be achieved. Algorithms within the CAD process define these, allowing the flexure of the ‘foot’ and the precise fit of the socket to be defined to a high degree.