3D printing as an everyday aid beyond medical technology

When 3D printing is discussed in a medical context, the focus is often on certified implants, prostheses, or surgical instruments. In parallel, however, a field of application has emerged that is less regulated and closer to everyday life. This refers to individually manufactured aids that are not medical products in the strict sense, but that support basic functions and independence. For 3D printing, this represents a shift in perspective away from the clinical environment toward concrete life situations.

A well-known example is the initiative e-Nable, which has been developing open designs for mechanical hands and arms since 2011. These are printed on commercially available desktop machines using plastic filaments such as PLA or PETG. The resulting constructions are lightweight, scalable, and customizable, for example in terms of size, color, or gripping mechanism. They do not replace myoelectric prostheses, but they enable simple gripping movements and significantly lower the barrier to entry for many families.

A similar approach is taken by the US organization MakeGood. Modular mobility aids and everyday adapters are created there that can be produced entirely through additive manufacturing. A widely noted project is a child-friendly mobility trainer whose components can be manufactured on a desktop printer such as the Bambu Lab A1. The design files are openly accessible, including via platforms such as MakerWorld, which facilitates iteration and customization.

How individualized such solutions can be is demonstrated by the case of Twan. After a severe spinal cord injury, she lost control of her legs and was severely restricted in everyday life. In collaboration with occupational therapists, a 3D-printed lever was developed that allows her to operate a sewing machine using chin movements. Several iterations made from plastic filament ultimately resulted in a practical, everyday-ready version. Additional printed parts such as splash guards and mounts also made her mobility more suitable for daily use in bad weather.

Wu also uses 3D printing as a tool for customization. After a neurological illness, the former chemical engineer developed his own designs for his wheelchair, including mounts, ramps, and control elements. Additive manufacturing allows him to tailor components precisely to his needs and to continuously improve them.

For many of those affected, this creates not only a functional aid, but also the opportunity to actively participate in developing solutions themselves. In this context, 3D printing acts as a tool for reclaiming agency and demonstrates that additive manufacturing can be effective in the here and now.

Learn more about Bambu Lab here.