3D-Printed Hand Comes with Bones, Ligaments & Tendons

Image credit: ETH Zurich/Thomas Buchner

For those involved with materials science and advanced manufacturing, of great interest will be this incredible innovation sitting at the intersection of robotics and bionics.

In a world first, researchers have used a new laser scanning technique to print a 3D robotic hand out of different polymers in a single process, complete with bones, ligaments and tendons.

Developed by a team from ETH Zürich and US manufacturing start-​up, Inkbit, the approach applies 3D printing tech made suitable for “slow-curing plastics”, which given their greater durability, elasticity and robustness make them an advantageous material for creating delicate structures such as those found within a human hand.

“We wouldn’t have been able to make this hand with the fast-​curing polyacrylates we’ve been using in 3D printing so far,” said study co-author, Thomas Buchner in a statement.

“We’re now using slow-​curing thiolene polymers. These have very good elastic properties and return to their original state much faster after bending than polyacrylates.”

The printing technology includes a feedback mechanism in the form of a 3D laser scanner, which checks each printed layer for any surface irregularities and calculates necessary adjustments in real time.

Check out the below video from ETH Zürich to see this unique 3D printing approach in action.

ETH Zürich researchers said the technology points to huge possibilities in the world of soft robotics, and are now working towards designing even more sophisticated printed structures using the process.

For further information, visit the ETH Zürich website or read the article published this month in Nature.