Sunday, February 12, 2023

 Update February 12, 2023: (updates from Eric):

  A hand ready to build!

 


 

Tension block and gauntlet for the new hand! Just the thermoforming jigs to print after this.

 


Someone has outgrown their first hand! New one started on the printers now.

 


 

February 9, 2023:     Now printing a right forearm. One of our double amputees has been using his arms hard and has requested shorter forearms that he feels will work better for him. Also needs new velcro and he has worn out some pins. No problem, we can do that! Love to see them being used so much.

 


 

Thursday, February 9, 2023

 Update February 9, 2023 (updates from Eric): 

So it might seem we are not delivering as many prosthetics as we were. It has been slow around the end of the year, but much is going on behind the scenes as we are expanding our abilities to help people. We now have a 3D scanner, and a laptop with enough video processing power to use it. We have had a struggle making hands for some of the unusual presentations here. The stock models just don't quite work. So we will now be able to make plaster casts, digitally scan them, and then send the scans to a 3D designer in Europe who will then modify our Team Unlimbited design to fit them. 
 
We are also helping a young girl, who has a forearm so short, that our Team Unlimbited design doesn't quite work. But we have met a prosthetecist in England who is helping us with a new, human powered design for just such an instance. Her arm was just cast in Mexico, and it will be sent to us here to be scanned. That will be sent on to him in England, where the parts we can't make here will be made, and the designs for what we can make, sent here! A truly international effort. This will be repeated every 2 years until she stops growing!
 
This design just might help us with some other special cases here as well.
 
We are still pursuing a good above elbow loss arm design. We will see what the next six months brings. We have many, many waiting for this and it's something we are seeking diligently.  Please keep us in your prayers! If you are interested in supporting what we do,  please contact us!
 
 
February 8, 2023: Abelardo's new hand! So glad we could help him. A great morning of working through three languages,  but we do have the people for it. This will mean a lot for his ability to support his family. He said a very nice prayer for all of us before leaving.
 
 

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

 Update February 1, 2023 (updates from Eric): 

January 24, 2023: Mónica García just finished another one! Ready to deliver now. One more printed and will be built next.

 


January 25, 2023: Another arm done by Mónica García! This one is special. Our recipient has literally been wearing away the palm and fingers! This is the person doing concrete work with it. So the forearm and cuff are carbon fiber PETG and the hand and fingers are carbon fiber polycarbonate. About as wear resistant as we can get!

 


 

January 26, 2023:  First test hand cast a success! This will help immensely with the hands we are having so much trouble fitting.

 


January 28, 2023:

One day shipping and a happy recipient of the new tougher arm. We love our work! Hope it serves him well.