Keith Davis published a new build:

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Thanks Justin!

I finally found an actual use for having a 3D printer. I've been designing and printing things for my disability.

Things like an armrest for my wheelchair that incorporates a rested hand splint, a cupholder for my motorized wheelchair (hoveround), an adaptation to the wheelchair's foot rest, a shoe rack and cupholder that attaches to my bed frame. I've recently teamed up with my rehab clinic to develop robotic exoskeletons for arm and hand disabilities, etc.

This summer I plan on using OpenBuilds extrusions and gantry control to build a rack for getting from my wheelchair on to my riding lawn mower (luckily all of my mower's controls are right hand levers). Also, use OpenBuilds extrusions and gantry control to build a tote rack behind the seat for carrying things. That mower's top speed is 10 mph, so I'll be able to use it to go the 4 miles into town to pickup a curbside-delivery grocer order. I'm living alone on a 2 acre country farmstead, so self-sufficiency is paramount. At 75 years old I feel like I've discovered a whole new playground to play in . Life is what you make of it.

I've also discovered that PLA is a "moldable plastic". Heat up a printed something with a hair dryer, or dipped in 185F degree water, and it can be molded to finished shape until it cools and becomes rigid again. I'm using this property to create customizable hand splints that can perfectly fit even individual fingers. The object can be reheated and remolded again and again. I printed a few for my rehab clinic and they customize them for different patients. This moldability adds a whole new dimension to 3D printing . I can't even begin to see all of the possibilities that this property opens up.

 

Thanks for the kind words Bill. After two years and an excellent therapist, who used to be lead therapist at Mayo Clinic, we're finally resigned to the fact that my physical condition will never improve. In a way that's a relief. It allows me to focus on what I still have.