3D 스캐너와 3D 프린터를 활용한 손목보호대 개발

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a customized wrist brace using 3D scanner and 3D printer. This study included in-depth interviews with people who had wrist pain and ever used wrist braces. The wrist brace has been designed and modeled by the CAD program after 3D scanning the wrist of subjects. Based on the results of the in-depth interviews on wrist brace users and design investigation in the market, a prototype of the wrist brace has been created. The wrist brace does not compress the hand and is easy to put on. In addition, it is adjustable to the wrist of users, allowing them to move his or her wrist without any restrictions. A computer-modeling program produced solid files for the design of the wrist brace after 3D scanning ten subjects' hands. It features a lattice-patterned surface, a velcro adjustment and trimming to smoothen the surface. PLA filaments were used to 3D print the wrist brace. As for the assessment, the wrist brace has been evaluated to be easy to put on and adjust to user’s wrist. However, when it comes to appearance and comfortability, it was rated 3.0 or slightly above. This is because 3D printing materials are firm and not flexible compared to other materials such as neoprene or stretchable bands.