To improve the lives of disabled veterans, the VA Center for Innovation hosted a two-day event in Richmond, VA from Jul 28-29 dedicated to using 3D printing devices as solutions for prosthetics, orthotics and more. Held at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, designers of the general public will have the opportunity to participate in a design challenge using high-quality engineering equipment.
Stratasys, a leading international provider of 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions, has already collaborated with the VA to kick off the design challenge receiving submissions through the company’s open-sourced collaboration platform, GrabCAD (https://grabcad.com). The company shows support for the event and its cause by providing engineering mentorship along with critical design equipment including14 3D printers and the following production systems: a Fortus 450mc, three Fortus 250mc, six uPrint, three Mojo and one MakerBot.
“Stratasys is proud to collaborate with the VA to improve the lives of Veterans,” said Michael Gaisford, marketing program director for medical solutions at Stratasys. “This event is an ideal application of 3D printing to innovate designs to create custom, personalized devices that couldn’t have been made with traditional manufacturing. Stratasys is enabling prosthetics, orthotics, and assistive devices where one can affordably go from scan to design to print in a digital-only environment.”
In addition to mentorship from engineering experts, design challenge participants will receive guidance from disabled veterans themselves to thoroughly comprehend and address the needs of the veterans including Veteran Kim Matthews who suffers from a hand tremor. “When looking at the designs I was actually in tears over the thought of all of these wonderful people going out of their way to help,” said Veteran Matthews. “I was a bit overwhelmed and in awe of them; not only the intelligence that they possess, but all the hard work they are putting into this for us. Part of me felt like a kid at Christmas filled with happiness thinking that for once I could feel normal like others who do not have this disability.”
Each participating team will print their designs on Stratasys 3D printers to test and revise designs. Following the development process, teams will present their ideas explaining how it will positively impact the lives of Veterans.
To learn more about the Prosthetics and Assistive Technology Challenge, visit http://www.innovation.va.gov/challenge/.
