3D Printing Helps Mr. Stubbs the Alligator Get a New Tail https://ift.tt/2LOdcrK
In 2013, the scientists built a silicon prosthetic tail, but Mr. Stubbs outgrew it. Since he had doubled in size, the scientists didn’t want to risk getting close enough to take a plaster cast of his tail stump, so they decided to 3D scan him instead.
The team 3D printed the model and used it to make a silicone cast. That cast was then used to make multiple prosthetic tails for Mr. Stubbs. Why didn’t they just 3D print a wearable prosthetic? While 3D printing has been used to create numerous prosthetics for animals, an alligator tail is especially large, and the team would have needed a large-scale 3D printer to print the prosthetic all in one piece. There are certainly 3D printers that could handle the job, but it would have been a time-consuming print, especially since they wanted to make multiple prosthetics. It would be easier to make one 3D print, use it to make a mold, and quickly cast several pieces.
With his new tails, Mr. Stubbs can swim and quickly get to food.
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Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://3dprint.com July 31, 2018 at 09:00AM
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