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Headline: Engineers Create Bionic Arm With 3D Printer In Just 10 Hours

Caption: A team of designers and engineers successfully produced a 3D-printed, made-to-measure bionic hand in just 10 hours. Experts from research and education group WMG, which is part of the UK’s University of Warwick, worked with C Enterprise and Printed Electronics to design and print the bionic hand with inbuilt sensors. The bionic hand is the result of the IMPACT Project, which is led by Iterate Design and Innovation. The project to develop the hand was inspired by a similar model developed by Ben Ryan of prosthetics specialist Ambionics. Ryan’s son had his forearm amputated after birth and he decided to make him a prosthetic forearm. “The IMPACT team have taken this design further by embedding the electrical circuitry linking the motion controlling muscle sensors with the motors and battery into the structure of the bionic hand, thus providing a durable and aesthetic solution,” WMG explained in a statement. Engineers have tested the durability of the printed electrical circuitry to understand how well the component will withstand bending and flexing, it added. A website has been set up so that people can interact with the manufacturers to order a 3D Printed hand, allowing them to insert the measurements of their arm, and select what colour they want their hand to be, providing them with a tailored and personalised product. 10 hours later the hand will be printed with the sensors inbuilt ready for use. Within the project, Iterate Design and Innovation Ltd developed the design of the hand, including the integration of the electrical circuitry and sensors. Printed Electronics Ltd developed the technology for printing the electrical circuitry within the 3D Printing process and C Enterprise (UK) Ltd developed the multi-axis, multi-material 3D printer that enables the hand to be realised in 3D. Gethin Roberts, Project Lead and MD of Iterate Design + Innovation comments said: “The IMPACT project has resulted in the creation of an exciting new technology that has the ability to print electro-mechanical parts and assemblies, which weren’t previously possible.' 'Through laying down conductive ink tracks within polymer structures means that parts produced are fully functional straight off the machine bed; offering huge productivity benefits.”

Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,science,tech,technology,arm,disability,future,3D printing

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