In a groundbreaking leap forward, scientists at ETH Zurich have harnessed the power of 3D printing to create a robotic hand that incorporates bones, ligaments, and tendons – all constructed from various polymers in a single printing process.
This achievement marks a significant advancement in the field of 3D-printed prosthetics, surpassing the limitations of traditional fast-curing plastics.
Previously, 3D printing technology was confined to the realm of fast-curing plastics, restricting the range of materials that could be utilized. However, the researchers at ETH Zurich, in collaboration with a US startup affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), have overcome this limitation.
The breakthrough lies in the development of a technology that allows the printing of delicate structures and parts with cavities using slow-curing plastics.
These polymers, fine-tuned to mimic the elasticity or rigidity of a human hand, offer “decisive” advantages over their predecessors. The enhanced elastic properties, durability, and robustness of these materials contribute to a more lifelike and functional 3D-printed hand. T
This novel approach opens up new possibilities for the customization of prosthetics, tailoring them to the specific needs and preferences of individual users.
MIT’s InkBit is at the forefront of this cutting-edge technology, providing the means to print complex objects on demand. The versatility of the technology also facilitates the seamless combination of soft, elastic, and rigid materials, allowing for the creation of intricate structures that mirror the complexity of the human hand.
Doctoral student from ETH Zurich, Thomas Buchner, who led the authorship of the paper published on their work said, “We wouldn’t have been able to make this hand with the fast-curing polyacrylates we’ve been using in 3D printing so far.”
“We’re now using slow-curing thiolene polymers. These have very good elastic properties and return to their original state much faster after bending than polyacrylates,” he said, adding this makes them ideal for making complex prosthetics.
Meanwhile, ETH Zurich robotics professor Robert Katzschmann said, “Robots made of soft materials, such as the hand we developed, have advantages over conventional robots made of metal. Because they’re soft, there is less risk of injury when they work with humans, and they are better suited to handling fragile goods.”
Traditionally, 3D printers construct objects layer by layer, with nozzles depositing material at each point and a UV lamp curing each layer immediately. To accommodate slow-curing polymers, the researchers introduced a 3D laser scanner into the printing process. This scanner meticulously examines each printed layer for surface irregularities, enabling a feedback mechanism to compensate for these imperfections in real-time.
The system calculates precise adjustments to the amount of material to be printed, ensuring a flawless and accurate final product.
The collaboration between Swiss and US researchers resulted in the joint publication of this groundbreaking technology and its sample applications in the prestigious journal Nature. This multidisciplinary effort not only showcases the potential of 3D printing in the filed of prosthetics but also highlights the importance of international collaboration in pushing the boundaries of scientific innovation.
The implications of this achievement extend beyond the realms of 3D-printed prosthetics, offering a glimpse into the future of personalized and intricately designed robotic components.
As the technology continues to evolve, it holds the promise of revolutionizing various fields, from healthcare to robotics, with potential applications that could transform lives on a global scale.
See more about this incredible creation in the video below:
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