i've been reading about 3d printing, but this is frankly amazing

http://3dgeeks.com/news_story/liam_gets_a_new_3d_printed_robohand.html


Prepare to have your heart warmed. Two men, from opposite sides of the globe, teamed up in 2012 with the help of a Markbot (and sheer brilliance) to create a young boy a new hand.

In 2011 Richard Van As of South Africa lost 4 fingers on his right hand. He set about trying to create a mechanical replacement for his lost digits. While researching methodology Richard came across YouTube videos of mechanical hand props built by Ivan Owen of Washington State. The two got in contact and eventually teamed up to help a young boy named Liam, who had no fingers on his right hand. By November 2012 they hand a functioning prototype of a working hand and now Liam has a working right Robohand.

Richard and Ivan used classic machining and engineering to design the Robohand, but eventually relied on a Makerbot 3D Printer to print out the needed components as well as the ever useful Rubber Finger Pads ($2.49 for a 12 pack at Costco.)

Here is young Liam we his new hand.



Almost as amazing as the project itself - The pair have made the design available Opensource on Thingverse http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:44150 and intend to keep the design and updated designs free to the public in an effort to help as many people as possible. Incredible!

That doesn't mean it took nothing to create the Robohand. The dynamic duo have dipped deeply into their personal pockets to make this happen but have now set up a Donation page at fundly to help offset the cost. I can't think of a better place to donate a few bucks.

If you would like to follow the project's blog you can find it at http://comingupshorthanded.com.

[img]http://3dgeeks.com/index.php?ct=news&action=file&id=506[/img]
[img]http://3dgeeks.com/index.php?ct=news&action=file&id=507[/img]
[img]http://3dgeeks.com/index.php?ct=news&action=file&id=508[/img]
[img]http://3dgeeks.com/index.php?ct=news&action=file&id=509[/img]

bump