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Device data
Manufacturing files https://www.youmagine.com/designs/infantometer-49-22
Hardware license CERN-OHL-S
Certifications Start OSHWA certification
Project data
Type Infantometer
Authors Teshawar
Years 2019
Made Yes
Replicated No
Cost USD 6.57
OKH Manifest Download

Proper growth of infants and young children is paramount to the development of well-functioning adults. Hospitals in developing countries lack the funding for all proper medical instruments and equipment - one-third of of these hospitals even lack the access to running water.[1] Infantometers can be used to measure the height of infants and small children to gauge the physical growth during the early stages of life. Although infantometers are composed of only several parts, they can be quite costly. This page will discuss how to produce a cost-effective infantometer through access to 3-D printing and minimal external materials.

Bill of Materials

  1. Five slider segments (3-D printed part)
    1. Cost: $0.40 each (20g of PLA filament at $20.00/kg)
  2. Top caliper (3-D printed part)
    1. Cost: $0.36 (18g of PLA filament at $20.00/kg)
  3. Bottom caliper (3-D printed part)
    1. Cost: $0.32 (16g of PLA filament at $20.00/kg)
  4. Measuring tape for sewing applications
    1. Cost: $3.89
    2. A meterstick could be used as well. However, this would prevent the instrument from be compact when broken into its parts. The slot sizes on the top and bottom calipers would also need to be resized to the cross-section of the meterstick.

Tools needed

  1. MOST Delta RepRap or similar RepRap 3-D printer
  2. Tool for removing support material from slider segments. Examples of this may be a small screwdriver or hobby knife.
  3. Superglue can be used to permanently fix segments together if desired.

Skills and knowledge needed

Technical Specifications and Assembly Instructions

For all printed components:

Material: PLA

Layer Height: 0.2mm

Shell Thickness: 1mm

Fill Density: 15%

Print Speed: 70 mm/s

Printing Temperature: 210 C

Assembly Instructions

  1. 3-D print five slider segments with support material enabled.
  2. 3-D print top/bottom calipers (no support necessary).
  3. Remove support material from pockets and bottom side of slider segments with small screwdriver or hobby knife. Clean up parts with sanding/filing if needed.
  4. Attach slider segments together (see Figure 1).
  5. Slide measuring taper into slot along the top of the slider assembly (see Figures 2 and 3).
  6. Place top caliper at the top of the slider assembly (see Figure 4).
  7. Place bottom caliper at the bottom of the assembly (see Figure 5).

Common Problems and Solutions

Cost savings

  1. Five slider segments, $0.40 each (20g of PLA filament at $20.00/kg)
  2. Top caliper, $0.36 (18g of PLA filament at $20.00/kg)
  3. Bottom caliper, $0.32 (16g of PLA filament at $20.00/kg)
  4. Measuring tape for sewing applications, $3.89

Benefited Internet Communities

References

  1. ↑ "Study: One-Third of Hospitals in Developing World Lack Running Water," John Hopkins (2016) Available: https://www.jhsph.edu/news/news-releases/2016/study-one-third-of-hospitals-in-developing-world-lack-running-water.html
Page data
Keywords 3D printing, child development, children, infantometer, measuring device, osat, plastic
SDG SDG03 Good health and well-being, SDG10 Reduced inequalities, SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities
License CC-BY-SA-3.0
Organizations MY4777, MTU
Language English (en)
Related 0 subpages, 5 pages link here
Views 88 page views (analytics)
Created December 5, 2019 by Teshawar
Last edit June 18, 2024 by Felipe Schenone
Cite as Teshawar (2019–2024). "OSAT project - Infantometer". Appropedia. Retrieved October 1, 2026.
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