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Designing and manufacturing custom-made 3D printed assistive devices: A comparison of three workflows.
- Source :
-
Technology & Disability . 2023, Vol. 35 Issue 3, p171-182. 12p. 1 Color Photograph, 1 Diagram, 1 Graph. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- BACKGROUND: Do-it-yourself technologies such as 3D printing offer interesting opportunities for creating custom-made assistive devices for people with disabilities. Although these opportunities are increasingly acknowledged, it remains unclear how 3D printing technology should be implemented in assistive devices delivery processes. OBJECTIVE: In three separate action research projects carried out in Belgium, Italy and The Netherlands, workflows were designed and evaluated that incorporate 3D printing as a standard option for providing clients with suitable assistive devices. METHODS: In this paper we describe and compare the three workflows that were conceived simultaneously, yet independently from each other. RESULTS: Based on the evaluations of these workflows, and the experiences of the researchers who developed the workflows, we provide recommendations for implementing 3D printing as a common approach in assistive device delivery processes in practice. Most importantly, designing and manufacturing should be done by means of a client-centered co-creation process by interdisciplinary teams of clinicians, clients, and 3D printing experts. We provide several recommendations for facilitating and supporting collaborations within such teams. CONCLUSIONS: The three workflows presented in this paper are strikingly similar and therefore provide a convincing starting point for interdisciplinary design teams who wish to embark on 3D printing custom-made assistive devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10554181
- Volume :
- 35
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Technology & Disability
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 172805977
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3233/TAD-221511