Manufacturing Standardization of Jaipur Foot by Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

In developing countries conventional prosthetic feet are preferred over the technologically advanced state of the art bionics, as these are made out of inexpensive materials by local vendors, bringing down the overall cost to a quite affordable price with extraordinary functionality, for amputees here. The work is focussed on standardising Jaipur foot fabrication by use of additive manufacturing. The goal is to obtain a reliable, light, interchangeable and robust product which could be produced with same accuracy in any facility with right set of equipment avoiding human-induced error. The compression strength test results provided a way higher modulus for additively manufactured thermoplastic polyurethane in comparison to microcellular rubber. The microcellular rubber comprises more than 60% of the foot by volume and weight, substitution of such a material with lighter and more reliable polymer brings about not just a comparable but also a better prosthetic foot on various fronts.