June 24, 2014

A year ago carpenter Richard van As, together with Ivan Owen in Seattle, developed RoboHand that has helped hundreds of people who can't afford expensive prosthetics. Robohand started with Richard van As, who lost all his fingers on his right hand when he had a woodworking accident in May 2011.

In September of 2012, Robohand was officially named and the first working prototype was published. As of November 2013 Richard has streamlined Robohand and fitted more than 200 hands to individuals all over the world.

As part of Robohand's #EnableOneEnableMany motto, the team wants to teach other people how to manufacture, assemble and fit Robohands and Roboarms. "This ensures the quality of the products that are being fitted to individuals is of the same high standard and quality as the original Robohand." says the team.

Robohand informed us that a strategic alliance has been formed between Robohand and the College of the Ouachitas in Malvern Arkansas. The college have acquired 53 Makerbot Replicator 2 3D printers and the two parties will officially launch the Robohand Print Farm on June 25, 2014. The print farm, under the direction of Mr. Jody Callahan, College of the Ouachitas Division Chair for Applied Sciences, will prepare and distribute 3D printed Robohand components worldwide.

Another idea is to use this emerging technology and work it into the current programs offered by the college, while developing a new curriculum for using 3D printers to create Robohand mechanical devices. Van As is now in the USA, to finalise the 3D Printing curriculum which will be internationally accredited.

The print farm will also have "open time" where the public can pay to have their design 3D printed, which will ensure the sustainability of the Robohand Print Farm. According to Robohand, this will be the biggest Robohand Print Farm in the world.

There will be three press announcements regarding the strategic alliance, the grand opening of the Robohand Print Farm and a 3D Printing curriculum that will be launched at the College on Jun. 25, 2014. You can find more info about the press conferences here.







Posted in 3D Printing Applications

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KB wrote at 1/6/2015 10:44:28 PM:I am trying to see if someone that does 3D printing will help me help my Gwen Guinea. I am looking to see if I can find someone that does 3D printing that can assist me in helping my Gwen Guinea Bird walk. She was trampled as a new hatch and her legs didn't not develop to the point to allow her to walk. She pulls herself around to be mobile. I would like to develop some type of crutch for her to allow her to walk like she should and maybe even fly. kebingerm@gmail.comj.Pickens wrote at 6/25/2014 3:37:17 AM:Too bad they have to deal with the Replicator 2's fatal flaw, the unheated acrylic build platform. Any attempt to run them all simultaneously will be fun to watch, as the parts lift off the platforms and the prints fail.



