3D printing is giving Paralympians an edge
From bespoke seats to titanium arms
Forget mass production
Mass-manufactured equipment, such as gloves, shoes, and bicycles, is generally designed to suit typical able-bodied body shapes and playing styles. As such, it may not be suitable for many Paralympians. But one-off, bespoke equipment is expensive and time-consuming to produce. This can limit access for some athletes, or require them to come up with their own “do-it-yourself” solutions, which may not be as advanced as professionally produced equipment.
3D printing can deliver bespoke equipment at a more affordable price. Several former Paralympians, such as British triathleteJoe Townsendand US track athleteArielle Rausin, now use 3D printing to create personalized gloves for themselves and their fellow wheelchair athletes. These gloves fit as if they were molded over the athlete’s hands, and can be printed in different materials for different conditions. For example, Townsend uses stiff materials for maximum performance in competition and softer gloves for training that are comfortable and less likely to cause injury.
3D-printed gloves are inexpensive, rapidly produced, and can be reprinted whenever they break. Because the design is digital, just like a photo or video, it can be modified based on the athlete’s feedback, or even sent to the nearest 3D printer when parts are urgently needed.
Harder, better, faster, stronger
An elite athlete might be concerned about whether 3D-printed parts will be strong enough to withstand the required performance demands. Fortunately, materials for 3D printing have come a long way, with many 3D printing companies developing their own formulas to suit applications in various industries – from medical to aerospace.
Back in 2016, we saw thefirst 3D-printed prosthetic leg used in the Paralympicsby German track cyclist Denise Schindler. Made of polycarbonate, it was lighter than her previous carbon-fiber prosthetic, but just as strong and better-fitting.
With research showingsprint cyclists can generate more than 1,000 Newtons of forceduring acceleration (the same force you would feel if a 100-kilogram person were to stand on top of you!), such prosthetics need to be incredibly strong and durable. Schindler’s helped her win a bronze medal at the Tokyo games.
More advanced materials being 3D printed for Paralympic equipment include carbon fiber, with Townsend using it to produce theperfect crank armsfor his handbike. 3D printing allows reinforced carbon fiber to be placed exactly where it is needed to improve the stiffness of a part while remaining lightweight. This results in a better-performing part than one made from aluminum.
3D-printed titanium is also being used forcustom prosthetic arms, such as those that allow New Zealand Paralympian Anna Grimaldi to securely grip 50kg weights, in a way a standard prosthetic couldn’t achieve.
Different technologies working together
For 3D printing to deliver maximum results, it needs to be used in conjunction with other technologies. For example,3D scanningis often an important part of the design process, using a collection of photographs, or dedicated 3D scanners, to digitize part of an athlete’s body.
Such technology has been used to3D-scan a seat moldfor Australian wheelchair tennis champion Dylan Alcott, allowing engineers to manufacture a seat that gives him maximum comfort, stability, and performance.
3D scanning was also used to create theperfect-fitting gripfor Australian archer Taymon Kenton-Smith, who was born with a partial left hand. The grip was then 3D-printed in both hard and soft materials at theAustralian Institute of Sport, providing a more reliable bow grip with shock-absorbing abilities. If the grip breaks, an identical one can be easily reprinted, rather than relying on someone to hand-craft a new one that might have slight variations and take a long time to produce.
All these technologies are increasingly accessible, meaning more non-elite athletes can experiment with unique parts. Amateurs and professionals alike can already buyrunning shoeswith 3D-printed soles, and3D-printed custom bike frames. For those with access to their own 3D printer,surf fins,cycling accessories, and more can be downloaded for free and printed for just a few dollars.
However, don’t expect your home 3D printer to be making titanium parts anytime soon. While the technology is leveling the playing field to a certain extent, elite athletes still have access to specialized materials and engineering expertise, giving them the technological edge.
This article was co-authored by Julian Chua, a sports technology consultant atReEngineering Labsand author of theSports Technology Blog.
James Novak, Senior Research Fellow and Adjunct Lecturer,The University of QueenslandandAndrew Novak, Senior Research Fellow,University of Technology Sydney
This article is republished fromThe Conversationunder a Creative Commons license. Read theoriginal article.
Story byThe Conversation
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