e-NABLE and 3D Printed Prosthetics

[bvandiepenbos]

print the gauntlet /wrist brace flat in PLA then heat form to persons arm for a custom fit.
very cool!

www.andreasbastian.com/blog/e-nable-3d-printed-prostheticsassistive-devices/

a wrist brace
www.thingiverse.com/thing:403001

Thermoforming 3D Printed PLA for Use in Prostethics
www.instructables.com/id/Thermoforming-3D-Printed-PLA-for-Use-in-Prostethic/

[BeeAmaker]

That is a cool Idea. But isn't PLA very brittle? Wouldn't ABS be better for this? ABS will bend under heat as well. Might have to protect the arm a bit as it will need to get hotter than PLA.

[ZionPhil]

ABS would be better, but their technique with PLA would not work as well with ABS. PLA acts like ShapeLock or PolyMorph when you heat it up in water.

Great find Brian

[bvandiepenbos]

My understanding is that ABS not only has a higher melting point, but it also has a wider range of temperature where it stays soft. But, PLA not only forms at lower temperature it has a quicker transition from soft to hard... so better for forming I would think. PLA is quite a bit harder and more rigid, so I think that is a plus also. It can be thin and light but still be stiff.

I think ABS would be way to hot and stay soft for so long you would have a hard time not burning the person or yourself.

[ZionPhil]

That is all correct Brian