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This dissertation addresses the challenges faced by low-income communities in Ecuador in accessing prostheses and orthoses, due to high acquisition costs and long manufacturing and delivery times. Conventional fabrication methods often require labor-intensive processes and imported materials, resulting in devices that are economically inaccessible for a large portion of the population.
The main objective of this dissertation is to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of producing customized prostheses and orthoses through CAD/CAM technologies and additive manufacturing, using recyclable and low-cost polymeric materials. The proposed approach integrates 3D body scanning, digital modeling, mesh optimization, and parametric design tools to create patient-specific devices with reduced production time and material waste.
The methodology includes the use of structured-light 3D scanning to capture anatomical data, mesh processing using MeshLab, solid modeling and customization in Autodesk Fusion 360, and the exploration of lightweight parametric structures. In addition, a cost simulation based on realistic economic parameters from Ecuador is performed to estimate unit production costs and potential selling prices.
The results demonstrate that the proposed digital workflow can significantly reduce manufacturing time and costs when compared to traditional methods, while maintaining functional and ergonomic requirements. This dissertation highlights the potential of additive manufacturing as a sustainable and socially impactful solution to improve healthcare accessibility and promote circular economy principles in low-resource contexts
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3D printing Sustainable design Healthcare accessibility Low-income communities CAD/CAM technologies