3D Printed Prosthetic Hands Take a Turn Towards Fashionable with Paintable Fingernails

IMTS

Share this Article

fingertips

(image source: Andreas Bastian, via e-NABLE)

The major knock on most prosthetic devices — whether we are talking about arms, legs, hands, or whatever it be — is the simple fact that they are usually not stylish. People spend $40,000+ on prosthetic hands which quite frankly look like something that belongs in a science-fiction movie. While many people don’t mind the robotic look when it comes to sporting a prosthetic hand, as long as it functions like it should, other individuals care significantly about the aesthetic appearance of their device.

Just last week, I did a story on a 3D printed prosthetic hand created by an e-NABLE member Steve Wood. It was built upon the open source designs of e-NABLE, but took on more of a realistic appearance as opposed to the robotic looking hands we are all used to seeing. Wood’s hand was 3D printed using flexible skin-toned colored filament from Recreus, giving it a more realistic look.

Another e-NABLE member has taken this concept even a step further, by building upon e-NABLE’s latest iteration of their 3D printable prosthetic hand, the Raptor Reloaded.

Andreas Bastian, a man who is really all over the news when it comes to 3D printing technology, has designed Paintable Raptor Reloaded Fingertips, and they are unique in every sense of the word. Bastian has had a hand in many 3D printing innovations over the past few years. In April we did a story on his bendable 3D printed mesostructured material, then in June we covered his OpenSLS, open source SLS 3D printer project.  In November Bastian released his in-depth 3D printer quality testing files, for the MAKE 3D Shoot Out.

fingertips5

(image source: Andreas Bastian, via e-NABLE)

Bastian wanted to introduce his paintable fingertips as a way of pleasing some of the young women of the world who require the use of prosthetic hands. The idea was originally presented to him by Todd Blatt, Vice President of Market Direction at Tinkerine Studios, when they had a chance to talk at CES earlier this month.

As you can see in the photos provided, Bastian was quite successful in his modification of the Raptor Hand Reloaded fingertips. They can be painted any color using regular nail polish, and perhaps if combined with a skin-toned colored filament could take on a very realistic appearance for those ladies out there who want not only an affordable, functional prosthetic hand, but also one that stands out for all the right reasons.

fingertips4

(image source: Andreas Bastian, via e-NABLE)

Bastian’s designs can be found on github, and he plans to release them on Thingiverse and YouMagine very soon. What do you think about his fingertip designs? Do you think we will continue to see developments to make these 3D printed prostheses look more like the real hands they are intended to replace? Discuss in the 3D printed fingertip forum thread on 3DPB.com.

fingertips3

(image source: Andreas Bastian, via e-NABLE)

[Image source: Andreas Bastian, via e-NABLE]

Share this Article


Recent News

Liquid Metal 3D Printing Sector Emerges with Fluent Metal’s $5.5M Investment

3DPOD Episode 191: Amy Alexander, 3D Printing at the Mayo Clinic



Categories

3D Design

3D Printed Art

3D Printed Food

3D Printed Guns


You May Also Like

3DPOD Episode 190: Generative Design for 3D Printing with Novineer CEO Ali Tamijani

Ali Tamijani, a professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, has an extensive background in composites, tool pathing, and the development of functional 3D printed parts,...

Featured

3DPOD Episode 189: AMUG President Shannon VanDeren

Shannon VanDeren is a consultant in the 3D printing industry, focusing on implementation and integration for her company, Layered Manufacturing and Consulting. For nearly ten years, she has been involved...

3DPOD Episode 188: Clare Difazio of E3D – Growing the Industry, and Growing With the Industry

Clare DiFazio’s journey into the 3D printing industry was serendipitous, yet her involvement at critical moments has significantly influenced the sector. Her position as Head of Marketing & Product Strategy...

Featured

Printing Money Episode 15: 3D Printing Markets & Deals, with AM Research and AMPOWER

Printing Money returns with Episode 15! This month, NewCap Partners‘ Danny Piper is joined by Scott Dunham, Executive Vice President of Research at Additive Manufacturing (AM) Research, and Matthias Schmidt-Lehr,...