Piezoresistive Sensing in Additively Manufactured Prosthetics

Abstract

This paper attempts to determine whether hobbyist 3D printers can be used to advance prosthetic capabilities. We attempt to answer this by designing, printing, and testing a prosthetic hand using a hobbyist 3D printer and hobbyist materials. The prosthetic hand with an opposable thumb was drafted from scratch and 3D printed collectively across four different fused deposition modeling printers; A Craftbot Plus Pro, CR-10, Jgaurora, and Qidi X-Plus. Once assembled, a material study was conducted against three different materials to identify the plausibility of sensing force using the materials piezoresistivity. Piezoresistivity is a measurement of resistance when a mechanical strain is applied. It was concluded that touch sensing capabilities could be utilized with 3D printed materials while on a hobbyist grade 3D printer. None of the materials required a heated chamber however, the argument of a heated bed improving the printability is undeniable. The likelihood of successfully incorporating this function into a 3D printed prosthetic had immense potential and promise.