3D printing of prostheses
using Flexfill TPU 98A
We are always very grateful that Fillamentum filaments can participate in projects that make a difference. Take a closer look at how 3D printing is improving veterinary medicine and support Simon Schuß and Dominik Hogen with their “Pawsthesis” project. The loss of a body part represents a serious and irreversible turning point in life. This does not only apply to us humans, the amputation of a limb also has serious consequences for animals.
Especially with dogs, an uneven load due to the loss of a leg inevitably leads to consequential damage and thus to incalculable costs for the dog owner. Recognizing that this work requires high quality materials, Pawsthesis turned to Fillamentum. The aim of the Pawsthesis project is to develop and market a prosthetic leg for dogs. The founding team consists of the industrial engineers Dominik Hogen and Simon Schuß and the concept for 3D-printed dog-prosthesis was developed during their studies at the University of Augsburg (Germany). For the implementation, Pawsthesis decided to use filament from Fillamentum, specifically Flexfill TPU 98A. Thermoplastic polyurethane with hardness 98 Shore A is a technical semi-flexible filament that offers great mechanical properties such as high tear and tensile strength.
Pawsthesis realized that this type of filament has excellent parameters that are needed for the production of prostheses. They said: „Large parts of the prosthesis must have a certain flexibility in order to adapt to the dog’s motions at any time and ensure freedom of movement. At the same time, these components also must be stable and robust enough to carry the dog’s weight and transfer the load to the ground. Since the prosthesis are mainly used outdoors, weather and UV resistance are also crucial points. Flexfill TPU 98A from Fillamentum meets all of these requirements and is offered in a wide range of colours, which means that the prosthesis can also visually meet the preferences of the dog’s owner.”
The business idea was supported by the EXIST start-up grant from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. In addition, important know-how supporters from the cynological and veterinary medicine sectors could be won over to the project. We have no choice but to say that we wish the young engineers every success!
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