May 8

3D Printed Prosthetic Hands

3D printers can make prosthetic hands.

What if you were born without a hand? Would you like one made by a 3D printer, maybe even one made out of plastic in the colors and  design you pick!!! Did you know that amazing prosthetics are being made from a 3D printers? 3D printed hands may seem very different from real hands, but in several ways they are alike.  They can make a kid feel almost normal like Kieran.

3D printed prosthetics are more advanced than they ever have been before. Did you know the original first printed hand was only a pair of hooks held together by a rubber band on a prosthetic with only zip ties holding it together? The 3D prosthetic hand is made up of a polymer called Nylon 12 [plastic melted]. They can be made in fun color combinations and designs that look out of a Superhero movie, like in this video.

3D Prosthetics are held together with nails and wire, they are also held together by elastics, pins, and  hinge caps. A design that anyone can put together, even YOU!

It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to print a 3D prosthetic hand although about 4 hours to assemble. About 4 hours per hand with the cost of only about $35 to $45. Materials cost about $45 altogether. Much more affordable than the electrical prosthetics.

Here are a few ways you can get involved: You can collaborate with others by sharing your tools (software) and knowledge. You can also purchase a 3D Printed Hand Pro and 20% of the net proceeds will be used to help different schools print and create 3D hands to be donated. In addition, you can download the file and find an e-NABLE a global community of volunteers and start 3D printing now.