Construcción y Evaluación de parámetros óptimos para la impresión 3D de una prótesis mecánica de mano muñeca: mecanizado de piezas con polimeros.

Abstract

For the development of the complete printing of a prosthesis in 3D printing, it is necessary to take into consideration the necessary variables for an optimal printing before generating an excessive expenditure of material in the initial printing tests. The main motivation stands out in the high cost of existing prostheses in the Ecuadorian market, in addition to the versatility that we allow us in terms of the use of additive manufacturing for these reasons, it was necessary to use different filaments. The design consisted of 24 elements, of which 22 were printed using PLA and PLA with carbon fiber, varying the fillers to compare their performance. In addition, 2 elements were printed with TPU to confer flexion to the prosthetic hand. The tendons were formed using nylon threads. To carry out the printing process, Creality Slicer software was used to configure the 24 parts. In the final phase of the project, the resulting prostheses were evaluated from the different materials and configurations. The results obtained made it possible to identify the optimal combination for the mechanical hand and wrist prosthesis, considering key aspects such as strength, flexibility and functionality. The development of this prosthesis offers an innovative and accessible solution for people with upper limb amputations. The use of materials such as PLA and carbon fiber, together with TPU for bending, proved to be effective in obtaining a prosthesis with adequate mechanical characteristics for a better adaptation and performance of the user. The findings of this research constitute an important advance in the field of 3D printed prostheses and can contribute significantly to improving the quality of life of patients who require this type of solution.