In cooperation full of heat and technological power, the Chinese 3D printing manufacturer Elegoo has united its strengths with 3Dpets, a prosthetic expert for American personalized pets, to successfully create a personalized complete prosthetic system for a Doberman named Rey.
With helpEightLarge 3D 3D printing equipment of industrial quality orangestorm giga allows this large dog to weigh more than 45 kg to find the freedom to run.
From diagnosis to solution
Rey is a four -year -old Duberman. Not long ago, he received a diagnosis of severe osteosarcoma due to frequent lameness and pain, and finally had to undergo an amputation of the left front leg.
Although dogs have high adaptability and can maintain daily activities with “three feet”, for the huge Rey, the absence of legs before posing larger challenges at their physical balance and their joint load.
In particular, around 60% of the weight of canines focuses on previous limbs, and the loss of previous limbs is more obvious than the hind legs.
To relieve Rey’s physical stress and improve its quality of life, its owners have found 3DPETS online, a professional institution focused on the supply of personalized 3D printed prostheses, 3D printed prostheses, mobility aid.
3dpets × Elegoo: large volume printing is the key
What Rey needs is a complete prosthetic system, and the key part is an integrated strap structure.
This structure not only requires softness and comfort, but also requires sufficient resistance and sustainability, which has extremely high requirements in the molding space and the performance of the materials of the printing equipment. 3D printers of normal size are difficult to match the transparent printing of such large flexible components.
To this end, Elegoo provides its industrial printing equipment FDM flagship, Orangestorm Giga.
The device supports an ultra-large print volume up to 800x800x1000 mm, with a maximum printing speed of 300 mm / s, and can effectively perform complex, complex and highly flexible TPU printing tasks.
What is even more touching is that this project is Elegoo ”Help out“As part of the charity plan, the company not only provides equipment for free, but fully carries Rey’s prosthetic production costs (worth $ 1,750).
Coco Lee, director of the Elegoo brand, said: “It is not only a case of product application, but also a real reflection of our hope of helping more life through technology. It is not easy to print a large TPU structure, but Giga is perfectly competent for this challenge.”
Scan modeling + self-developed algorithm to ensure prosthetic adjustment and comfort
Before printing, the 3DPETS team scanned Rey’s body via a smartphone to build a very precise 3D model.
Subsequently, with the help of self-developed software algorithms, a grid structure design which takes into account both strength and flexibility has been generated: the support structure is reinforced in key areas such as prosthetic connections, while areas such as the chest that requires flexibility are maintained soft and breathing, Comfortable while turning and breathing.
“Dogs are dynamic creatures and their auxiliary devices must also be dynamically adaptable,” said Lydia Mindk, director of operations at 3Dpets. “The structure of the grid provides not only support, but also has good breathability to prevent humidity from gathering. It is also easy to clean: just rinse with dish liquid and water. ”
Prosthetic adaptation succeeds, Rey finds the freedom to run
Once the prosthesis has been printed, the team took post-processing, in particular by removing the support structure, by polishing the surface, installing the cushioning, etc.
They then adapted Rey on site and installed the support of the legs and the foot pads to ensure a balanced approach and comfortable wear.
Mindek accompanied Rey for his first test formation, gradually helping him to establish a feeling of confidence in the prosthesis. “Rey adapts very quickly and is in a very ideal global state. It only has to refine according to use in the future.”
Currently, Rey can run and jump smoothly, almost recovering its preoperative exercise capacity. It is still gradually adapting to new equipment, but it still maintains its naughty nature and shows a vigorous vitality.
The charity plan continues to move forward to help more “special friends”
With the successful experience of this project, Elegoo said that it would continue to support more pets assistance projects and promote the application of 3D printing technology in the fields of health and rehabilitation of pets.
To find out more about Rey’s story, visit here: Elegoo’s official Instagram page to watch the full video.
