Additive Alternatives

<p>As an island nation, beach and coastline activities play a significant role in daily life in New Zealand. In promoting independent and productive lives for amputees, the New Zealand Artificial Limb Service (NZALS) encourages accessing these environments. However, carbon fibre foot prosthetics can be easily compromised by these conditions, as a result of abrasion and corrosion caused by sand and saltwater. To deliver on their mission statement 2017-2021 the NZALS seeks solutions to this issue (NZALS, 2016). In response this research project explores the possibility of offering a range of customised lifestyle-specific prosthetics that can be interchanged easily with a carbon-fibre prosthetic, to accommodate different recreational activities and thereby offer greater choice and independence for their patients. The project focuses on a case study for low-cost durable coastline prosthetic produced through Additive Manufacturing (AM) with Nylon PA-12 using design for additive manufacturing (DFAM) principles to facilitate a product that has a human form and dynamic three-dimensionality. This will be supported by the development of a quick-release coupling system allowing amputees to easily switch between prosthetic foot types for different uses. This incorporates height adjustment, ease of customising foot and fairing combinations and improved usability. This project has been undertaken in collaboration with the NZALS and uses a two-part design research methodology. Research ‘for’ design has been conducted by summarising, collating, and/or synthesising existing research. This was done through literature reviews, product autopsies and context scenarios. This was followed by a research ‘through’ design approach. The methods used are body storming which enabled research on how the foot functions in the scenario, analogue and digital sketching, CAD modelling, and rapid prototyping through AM. The project provides future reference points for the NZALS to improve and expand their product offerings and to facilitate their goal of remote service provision.</p>

Additive Alternatives

<p>As an island nation, beach and coastline activities play a significant role in daily life in New Zealand. In promoting independent and productive lives for amputees, the New Zealand Artificial Limb Service (NZALS) encourages accessing these environments. However, carbon fibre foot prosthetics can be easily compromised by these conditions, as a result of abrasion and corrosion caused by sand and saltwater. To deliver on their mission statement 2017-2021 the NZALS seeks solutions to this issue (NZALS, 2016). In response this research project explores the possibility of offering a range of customised lifestyle-specific prosthetics that can be interchanged easily with a carbon-fibre prosthetic, to accommodate different recreational activities and thereby offer greater choice and independence for their patients. The project focuses on a case study for low-cost durable coastline prosthetic produced through Additive Manufacturing (AM) with Nylon PA-12 using design for additive manufacturing (DFAM) principles to facilitate a product that has a human form and dynamic three-dimensionality. This will be supported by the development of a quick-release coupling system allowing amputees to easily switch between prosthetic foot types for different uses. This incorporates height adjustment, ease of customising foot and fairing combinations and improved usability. This project has been undertaken in collaboration with the NZALS and uses a two-part design research methodology. Research ‘for’ design has been conducted by summarising, collating, and/or synthesising existing research. This was done through literature reviews, product autopsies and context scenarios. This was followed by a research ‘through’ design approach. The methods used are body storming which enabled research on how the foot functions in the scenario, analogue and digital sketching, CAD modelling, and rapid prototyping through AM. The project provides future reference points for the NZALS to improve and expand their product offerings and to facilitate their goal of remote service provision.</p>

Design and Manufacturing of a New Prosthetic Foot

All prosthetic foot designs, adapted in common use, don't imitate the specific qualities of a typical human foot. The premise of this task is to explore current prosthetics so as to plan and assemble a more human like prosthesis. In attempted such a structure, the new prosthesis will show a more extensive scope of qualities than those showed in current prosthetic feet. In doing as such, the new prosthesis will give a closer portrayal of the capacities inalienable to an ordinary human foot. The qualities associated with ordinary strolling incorporate dorsiflexion foot test. The qualities showed in the produced new foot tried are contrasted with those of" SACH foot". The qualities showed by prostheses which compared well with those of a human foot were researched further. Another prosthetic foot is structured and made from composite random E-glass-polyester. The premise of the new prosthetic plan consolidates current prosthetic structure components, such as, prosthetic materials and segments. The scientific part presents the aftereffects of the static investigation by techniques, such as, mathematical strategies (Finite Element method FEM) and experimental methods. Thus the new foot was designed and dorsiflexion were measured. The new prosthetic foot has a good characteristics when compared with the SACH foot, such as good dorsiflexion (7°-6.4°) respectively.Prosthetic foot