Development And Manufacture Of A Mechanical Hand Prosthesis Using 3d Printing With Pla And Tpu Filaments

Abstract

3D printing technology revolutionises the manufacture of mechanical hand prostheses, offering accessible and personalised solutions for people with upper limb amputations. This article analyzes how the use of materials such as polylactic acid (PLA) allows the production of lightweight, biocompatible and low-cost devices, which overcome economic and logistical barriers. The World Health Organization estimates that 300 million people require prosthetics or rehabilitation. However, high costs, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, and poor infrastructure in developing countries, such as Ecuador, where more than 200,000 people need prosthetics, limit access to these devices.3D printing, using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique, facilitates the rapid creation of transradial prostheses, functional fingers, and orthotics. Free software, such as Blender, SketchUp or SolidWorks, and in our case Fusion 360 allow you to design 3D models adapted to the needs of each user. Tools like Cura turn these designs into understandable codes for 3D printers. Computational simulation optimizes design by evaluating the performance and durability of prostheses before they are manufactured, ensuring functionality and ergonomics. The article highlights the use of the ELEGOO Neptune 4 Plus printer, which offers accuracy, speed and affordable costs of $2.50 per 100 grams of material. This approach combines low cost, customization, and high performance, which improves the quality of life for users, especially in regions with limited resources. Initiatives such as donations from the Ministry of Health of Ecuador, which has delivered 11000 prostheses since 2017, and the work of foundations such as ROMP reinforce the importance of these innovative solutions to meet the demand for prosthetics.