Design for replicability in open-source distributed assistive technology for low-resource settings: a case study of two-piece 3D-printed forearm crutches
| Location | London, ON |
|---|---|
| Status | Designed Modelled Prototyped Verified |
| Verified by | FAST |
| Uses | 3D Printing |
| Links | https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2026.2702838 |
Purpose
Distributed manufacturing of open-source assistive technology shows potential to offer accessible, affordable, and customisable solutions for users in low-resource contexts. Their real-world adoption, however, depends not only on the availability of openly shared designs but also on their replicability when fabricated in different local contexts. This work investigates the replicability of open-source hardware in assistive technology through a practical design-driven approach, using the development and experimental evaluation of a two-piece open-source forearm crutch as a case study.
Materials and methods
Replicability was considered from early-stage design and evaluated by introducing controlled variations from distributed manufacturing contexts, e.g. material feedstock, manufacturing equipment, and fabrication strategies. Four batches of crutches were fabricated and assembled using virgin and recycled filaments on small- and large-format 3D printers. After visual inspection, mechanical static load testing was performed following ISO 11334:2007, together with quantitative replicability assessment and economic analysis.
Results
Comparable mean load-bearing and consistent failure behaviour were achieved across batches, supporting the replicability of the design in distributed manufacturing. The quantitative replicability assessment translated structural performance and batch variability into a measurable criterion for comparison. Limited cost variability was achieved, supporting repairability and product lifecycle extension, while enabling affordable, easy fabrication in local contexts.
Conclusions
Beyond this case study, the replicability of open-source hardware for assistive devices needs to be considered as an early-stage design constraint, e.g. developing products that allow for variability from local contexts and including product-specific quantitative approaches to assess replicability. This design shift can support accessibility and real-world fabrication of open-source assistive technology in low-resource settings.
- Source code:https://osf.io/n8m5y/
Keywords
[edit | edit source]mobility, mobility aid, adaptive aid, crutch, 3D printing, additive manufacturing, mechanical testing, open hardware, open-source hardware, frugal innovation, frugal biomed, biomedical engineering, design for additive manufacturing, DFAM, assistive devices
See also
[edit | edit source]Open Source Devices
Health Policy
- Open-source 3D Printable Forearm Crutch
- Emergence of Home Manufacturing in the Developed World: Return on Investment for Open-Source 3-D Printers
- Life-cycle economic analysis of distributed manufacturing with open-source 3-D printers
- Quantifying the Value of Open Source Hardware Development
| Authors | Alessia Romani, Rebecca Kaaya Nansubuga, Maryam Mottaghi, Danielle Munang, Emily Bow Pearce, Pooja Viswanathan, Thomas Jenkyn, Tarek Loubani, Jacob Reeves, Joshua M. Pearce |
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| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Organizations | Free Appropriate Sustainable Technology, Western |
| Cite as | Alessia Romani, Rebecca Kaaya Nansubuga, Maryam Mottaghi, Danielle Munang, Emily Bow Pearce, Pooja Viswanathan, Thomas Jenkyn, Tarek Loubani, Jacob Reeves, Joshua M. Pearce (2026). "Design for replicability in open-source distributed assistive technology for low-resource settings: a case study of two-piece 3D-printed forearm crutches". Appropedia. Retrieved September 8, 2026. |