Kunkel Maria Elizete, Sauer Alexander, Isaacs Carlos, Ganga Thabata Alcântara Ferreira, Fazan Leonardo Henrique, Keller Rorato Eduardo
3D Orthotics and Prosthetics Laboratory, Science and Technology Institute, Federal University of São Paulo UNIFESP, São José dos Campos 12247014, Brazil.
Institute for Bionics, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, 46397 Bocholt, Germany.
Biomimetics (Basel). 2025 Jun 11;10(6):391. doi: 10.3390/biomimetics10060391.
Integrating bioinspired design and additive manufacturing into engineering education fosters innovation to meet the growing demand for accessible, personalized assistive technologies. This paper presents the outcomes of an international course, "3D Prosthetics and Orthotics", offered to undergraduate students in the Biomimetic program at Westfälische Hochschule (Germany), in collaboration with the 3D Orthotics and Prosthetics Laboratory at the Federal University of São Paulo-UNIFESP (Brazil). The course combined theoretical and hands-on modules covering digital modeling (CAD), simulation (CAE), and fabrication (CAM), enabling students to develop bioinspired assistive devices through a Project-based learning approach. Working in interdisciplinary teams, students addressed real-world rehabilitation challenges by translating biological mechanisms into engineered solutions using additive manufacturing. Resulting prototypes included a hand prosthesis based on the Fin Ray effect, a modular finger prosthesis inspired by tendon-muscle antagonism, and a cervical orthosis designed based on stingray morphology. Each device was digitally modeled, mechanically analyzed, and physically fabricated using open-source and low-cost methods. This initiative illustrates how biomimetic mechanisms and design can be integrated into education to generate functional outcomes and socially impactful health technologies. Grounded in the Mao3D open-source methodology, this experience demonstrates the value of combining nature-inspired principles, digital fabrication, Design Thinking, and international collaboration to advance inclusive, low-cost innovations in assistive technology.
将仿生设计和增材制造融入工程教育可促进创新,以满足对可及的、个性化辅助技术日益增长的需求。本文介绍了一门国际课程“3D假肢与矫形器”的成果,该课程面向德国威斯特法伦应用技术大学仿生专业的本科生开设,并与巴西圣保罗联邦大学3D矫形器与假肢实验室合作。该课程结合了理论和实践模块,涵盖数字建模(CAD)、模拟(CAE)和制造(CAM),使学生能够通过基于项目的学习方法开发仿生辅助设备。学生们以跨学科团队的形式开展工作,通过增材制造将生物机制转化为工程解决方案,从而应对现实世界中的康复挑战。最终的原型包括基于鳍射线效应的手部假肢、受肌腱 - 肌肉拮抗作用启发的模块化手指假肢以及基于黄貂鱼形态设计的颈椎矫形器。每个设备都采用开源和低成本方法进行了数字建模、力学分析和物理制造。该倡议展示了如何将仿生机制和设计融入教育,以产生功能性成果和具有社会影响力的健康技术。基于Mao3D开源方法,这一经验证明了结合自然启发原则、数字制造、设计思维和国际合作以推动辅助技术领域包容性低成本创新的价值。