Structural static characterization of a novel 3D printed prosthetic foot

Abstract

The new possibilities in Additive Manufacturing allow the development and manufacture of functional, high strength, and customizable 3D printing prosthetic components. This study characterizes the structural resistance, under static loads, of a 3D printed prosthetic foot fabricated with additive manufacturing of continuous filament deposition. Two conditions (keel and heel tests) were evaluated according to the standard ISO 22675. Peak forces of 4106 N were applied to the prosthetic foot with a maximum deformation of 40.8 mm, as a result, no visible fractures were found and total shape recovery.