e-NABLE and 3D Systems design new 3D printed prosthetic hand.
Marking the next chapter for one of the industry’s most moving stories to date, 3D Systems has partnered with the e-NABLE Community Foundation (ECF) to support the e-NABLE project in the design of an all-new 3D printed prosthetic hand.
Building upon 3DS’ mission of Making Good, this partnership leverages the company’s 3D digital fabrication products to deliver functional, prosthetic hands to people in need through a global network of makers, inventors and designers.
The new hand design - the K-1, will be shared publicly for free and optimised for printing on the Cube, CubePro and EKOCYCLE Cube. The file will be open to customisation to it can be tailored to fit the needs of the indivuduals that will benefit from this low-cost prosthetic. The design was created by industrial designer, Evan Kuester, the man behind the “Iron Man” prosthetic that was presented to a young boy by Iron Man himself, Robert Downey, Jr. in March.
New hand design.
3DS and ECF will also select at least four university-based labs to qualify them as e-NABLE partners which will be equipped with CubePro 3D printers, premium material cartridges, Sense 3D scanners and design software. The two will also collaborate on a range of learning materials that introduce educators to 3D design and 3D printed assistive technologies.
“We are excited to welcome 3D Systems into partnership with ECF and look forward to leveraging their solutions and expertise to further our reach and impact,” Jon Schull, Enable Community Foundation President, commented. “It's notable that 3DS has the vision to open-source their K1 hand so that all sorts of people can use it and learn from it."
EFC was recently granted an award of $600,000 by the Google Impact Challenge as part of its $20million project focussed on disabilities and has already delivered hundreds of open-source 3D printed prosthetics to more than 37 countries.
Avi Reichental, President and CEO, 3DS, added: “Our technology unlocks everyone’s potential to transform great ideas into real outcomes. By teaming up with the e-NABLE community, we are giving more people the means and the skills to improve lives.”
New K-1 3D printed parts.
ECF will host workshops featuring 3DS’ Cube 3D printers at the National Maker Faire on 12th-13th June at the University of the District of Columbia. 3D Systems and designer Kuester will also be on hand to showcase this new prosthetic at the event.
