Fiberglass Reinforced Composite Hand

So I downloaded an iron man hand from thingiverse and sliced the largest part. Maybe I'm wrong and it will cost more than $100. Its a bit hard to tell what parts are ornamental with this hand design and what parts need reinforced.
https://imgur.com/a/XKypl

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1347022/#files

Sounds interesting. Are you requesting funds and a vote?

Sounds great!

Lower limb Prosthetics are our frontier and need strength.

Rich's comment is appropriate: if not seeking a vote, you'll get more collaboration in the G+ and Facebook communities.

We also have access to a Markforged Printer (Mark Two) printer. We are testing carbon fiber reinforced 3D printed objects for both robotics and prosthetic applications. We find the CF reinforced parts "virtually" indestructible. We've printed one of the leg prosthetics whose files are currently on the web and are doing wear and destructive testing. They hold great promise. The only issue we see is mild deformation, and we're testing to see if mitigated by design and allow the full use of parts. The only issue, the printer itself is almost ~$15K, and the materials for printing are rather expensive.

@richb I mostly want to put the printer to use when its not doing anything else. I have a 'Toy-Story'-esque philosophy when it comes to tools, where I'm not happy with shiny tools that just sit around. But due to the high cost of proprietary materials, I'd like to be reimbursed as I'm still paying off the printer. So if theres a good application (I never even considered lower prosthetics until now), I'd like to apply to do the printing.

@jonschull Wiretapping?

@docdavies If deformation is an issue, I can try printing it with the carbon nylon (onyx). Its much stiffer than the original base nylon, which was quite rubbery. 95% of our prints dont even use reinforcement thanks to it. The material cost is much more than an ABS hand, but I think if parts are selectively reinforced, a handful of key components may give most of the benefits. But even if it used an entire KG of material, $200 + fiber is still a bargain compared to buying a FDA prosthetic of any kind. Printer accessibility is definitely an issue, but we might be able to reach out to MF to see if they want to set up some kind of partnership where people can earn points towards new cartridges by printing during downtime. It would be great exposure for them as a company, as most people I know have never heard about them.

We do use the Onyx. It is harder...but under great stress, it still deforms. We are talking robotic arm applications extending 15-20 lbs on a 6 ft lever arm essentially. Now with the prosthetics, it's not that big an issue, but we still need to study it. Particularly with the consideration of continual use with much greater loads in leg prosthetics. And yes, the price of the rolls ($189 for 800 cm3) is cheaper than a commercial prosthetic...but a bit harder for a non-profit to absorb. I fully agree we could speak with MF about the issue, and in fact I've spoken to the local distributor who donated several rolls for our testing purposes.

Ideally, I'd love to get into their metal printers.....but it's hard to convince a school system to pony up >$120K when they can purchase $20K Tormach PCNC 1100s for our schools. We are also machining a lot of parts, but that seems to defeat the purpose of eNABLE when it becomes necessary to have expensive equipment to make prosthetics for donation.
Never the less, let's chat about possibilities. And let's determine an approach for MF....they are good people.

Oh, Mark 2. I was thinking Markforge v1.
I'm not sure how the e-nable funding model works, as I was under the impression that the end-user paid for the basic bill of materials? I don't think a composite hand needs to replace the ABS ones that seem to be working fine, but maybe offer it as a more expensive "sports" version for people who want any extra strength it provides (if it provides any meaningful improvements at all).

As for legs, it may be something where a steel rod with a 3D printed faring would be the ideal mix of form and function. But a composite faring would still be preferable IMO since its easier to bash your legs against something and break a normal print.

I agree that we should avoid expensive equipment if possible, but I'm not sure its possible to do a leg with consumer stuff. The load seems too much for all the off-the-shelf materials, and aside from MF and metal printers, I'm not sure of any other industrial printers that can do it either. But if its a need a lot of kids have, I think we might want to expand the scope of E-nable where for some prosthetics, one couldnt just buy a 'cheap' printer and get going.

For some prosthetics, it may require a more exclusive program that recruits businesses who can put their machines to work during downtime. Aside from good press, it would benefit MF since the additional wear and tear should result in more money spent on replacement heads, plates, maintenance, etc. But at the end of the day, I think e-nable should be able to adapt to the end user and provide an accessible (even if not always free/near-free) prosthetic no matter how it gets made.

re the e-NABLE funding model:
Typically the recipient does not pay for the device or materials.

(re "wiretapping": bizzare autocorrect error. now manually corrected)

Hi David:
Why don't you pick out a hand design that is approved and scaled to a potential user. I would like to suggest you contact Peter Binkley to see if his son would like a carbon composite hand. I think Peter's experience would be beneficial.

I for one would like to be kept in the loop for future printing with the modified protocols for our Ultimaker 2+.

Rich

Rich Brown,D.C. President Handling The Future, Inc. C (914) 475-2863

Handling the Future, Inc. Club (HTF) is a group of senior volunteers from diverse professional
backgrounds who, as a group of individuals from Valencia Lakes, Tampa, are affiliated as a chapter with and assist www.e-NABLE.org ( http://www.e-NABLE.org ), www. EnablingtheFuture.org. HTF’s purpose is to educate and achieve the three dimensional (3D) printing quality that provides a potential solution to those who need our assistance.

Handling the Future, Inc. Is a registered Florida Non-Profit Corporation and a 501 C 3 Charity.

Thanks Rich.
I'll contact Peter and have his son pick out a design if hes interested. But if going composite on all/some components can result in a significantly more durable and/or stronger hand, then it may be a good option for those who want to play sports or have grown up a bit. Do kids continue to use 3d printed hands once they reach teen years? I noticed all the photos tend to involve much younger kids (4-8yo it looks like).