Find the files and assembly instructions you need to build a hand!
The e-NABLE community has developed a collection of different 3D-printable assistive devices that are free for download and fabrication by anybody who would like to learn more about the designs or fabricate a device for somebody in need.
Make a Device for Yourself
If you are interested in building your own 3D printed upper limb device and have access to a 3D printer, here is the information you will need to get started:
- Decide which kind of device is recommended for the limb different person in need.
Visit our Which Design page to see what your options are and choose from the designs that are currently available and recommended for those types of limb differences. Please note, that the e-NABLE Community does not currently have designs for above elbow limb differences, so the recipient or user must have a functional wrist or elbow to make these devices function properly. - Make sure to take photographs correctly to ensure a proper fit. Watch the tutorial video to learn how to take images that will help you get the measurements you need to create a device that will fit properly.
- Refer to the e-NABLE Device Sizing page to learn how to properly size an e-NABLE device.
- Check out our e-NABLE Devices page for tutorials, assembly kits and other helpful information!
If you have any questions along the way, feel free to ask our volunteers by posting a message in the forum.
If you would like to make your own device but do not have access to a 3D printer, check our our e-NABLE Chapters page, which includes a searchable map of e-NABLE Chapters. This map includes many libraries and makerspaces that may have 3D printers available for public use. You can also check this Google Map for libraries with 3D printers available.
Please note: It is very important that you work with your physician, occupational therapist, physical therapist or prosthetist when using a 3D printed open-source e-NABLE device.
ACCEPTANCE
By accepting any design, plan, component or assembly related to the so called “e-NABLE Hand” , I understand and agree that any such information or material furnished by any individual associated with the design team is furnished as is without representation or warranties of any kind, express or implied, and is intended to be a gift for the sole purpose of evaluating various design iterations, ideas and modifications. I understand that such improvements are intended to benefit individuals having specific disabilities and are not intended, and shall not be used, for commercial use. I further understand and agree that any individual associated with e-NABLE organization shall not be liable for any injuries or damages resulting from the use of any of the materials related to the e-NABLE hand.
Fantastic work, friends
Thank you!
Amazing… I think I found a new favorite charity!
Brilliant, I only wish you were in the UK as well, as I would jump at the chance at having one of these, having no fingers on my left hand, just small little stumps and only a thumb that moves. Great idea and so good that you are helping so many. Bravo.
We would love to help you find someone near you! We have people all over, even in the UK! Please email our matcher team so they can get you the intake form and get you started on finding someone near you that can get you some parts printed! Please email: enablematcher@gmail.com
Also – feel free to join the Google+ Group and introduce yourself! 😀
https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/102497715636887179986
Hi. I’m Andy and I’m in the UK. I’ve just seen the Ted Talk published today about this and I’m applying to get involved. I recently built a 3D printer which I hope will soon be able to produce quality prints. Let’s talk.
Thank you Andy!
If you can fill out the intake form and put yourself on our map – we will be able to start matching people with you as soon as you get your printer up and running. We have a great need over there for makers!
Here is the form!
http://goo.gl/lW1uX6
Feel free to join our Google+ Group too!
https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/102497715636887179986
Hi Julie I am in a similar position ,thumb and stubs on left hand ,half thumb and not much else on right due to septis and I’m right handed. Happened last April . Mary.
I find this very very amazing. by any chance, this cold reach panama? i know a 6 year old boy who was born healthy but a strange infection on the blood cause the Dr to cut both hands and both legs. he is only six a child full of energy and a smile that would melt who ever i have seen what you guys so. and was wondering if this could be something this child could use?
If you can email us at letsgetstarted@enablingthefuture.org – it will take you to our intake form!
Feel free to also join our Google+ group:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/102497715636887179986
Fantastic! I am oncological orthopedic surgeon from Brazil. I think that your inniciative can help thousands around the World! Congrats!
Thank you Dan! Do you have a printer there available to you to help make hands for people? We look forward to helping get this movement down to your part of the world!
@ Warm Fuzzy Revolutionist. Can’t see how to reply to your response at 3:37am. but I gotcha.
I now understand the system; e-nable organise the matching. I was too eager to jump in where I should have waited.
I have now added myself to the map and filled in the form.
I have one major printing problem; “warping” to solve before I can accept requests. I think I’m going to have to build a heated bed next. However, I have successfully printed some objects in PLA and PETA. Does it need to be ABS?
Andy Gaffney, this is a quote;- “Materials
Materials are still an area of active exploration. e-NABLE members are currently fabricating hands using ABS, PLA, and Nylon, each of which has specific printing requirements.
Branebot put together a great Instructable describing the process of printing a Cyborg Beast in Nylon and dying it.”.
So, while ABS and Nylon are preferred in terms of having a bit more “give” than PLA, no, you can use PLA for prints. That’s how I read the webpage…
http://enablingthefuture.org/resources/tips-for-successful-prints/
Hi Andy I have had the same problem with the prints warping I found if I fastened a 3mm sheet of acrylic to my bed, my prints would stick to these and not warp but would pull off after finished
John w
Hi there, I have a friend who lost both arms as a child in a terrific accident. He is a bright young 26 years old man. He lives in Russia and doesn’t have any prosthetics, he simply can’t afford them and Russian ones are very heavy and painful to use. Is any chance you could help or direct me to the organizations who could help this young man? He has a channel on YouTube – Сергей Лайков. Thanks a lot. Natalia Holmes
Hello Natalia! Please email us at letsgetstarted@enablingthefuture.org!
I have a 6year old son who was born with stump at his left wrist. No thumb or fingers. I still find it very hard to this day. He is awesome and deals with it with great strength. Would he be able to try this printed hand in the UK??
Hello!
YES! We have volunteers in the UK Now!
Please email us at letsgetstarted@enablingthefuture.org and we can get you started on getting matched with a volunteer near you!
Make sure you check your spam folder and please give our Matchers at least 7-10 days to get back to you as you can probably imagine that we get a whole lot of emails every day asking for help and have a wait list to get through!
Thank you!!
I AM PRINTING MY FIRST TRIAL HAND. I SELECTED THE ODYSSEUS HAND..I AM PRINTING IT TO SCALE AS SHOWN ON STP FILES….DOES ANYONE HAVE A PATTERN FOR THE LEATHER/PALM PART OF THIS HAND?
I CAN’T SEEM TO FIND IT ANYWHERE.
Hi Sal! YES!
Peter Binkley does! His contact info should be on the thingiverse page where you downloaded the ODY hand files!
Can practice hands be donated? I have a smallest raptor hand built as a test with no user.
They sure can. Please email enablematcher@gmail.com 🙂
any in singapore?
Hello Lau! I believe we do! If you are in need of a device there or want to sign up to help – please visit our “Get Involved page” and it has all the links you need to get started!
There is a link to the intake form for both recipients and volunteers, a link to our forums for asking questions and also the Google+ group!
http://enablingthefuture.org/get-involved/
I am wanting to print a hand for a young girl in our community as part of my capstone project. Is there anything me or my college needs to do before we proceed?
Hi Jay – you will need to fill out our intake form here: http://goo.gl/lW1uX6 🙂
Hi! My name is Ana Paola and I’m from Mexico, im very interested to work with you. I’m a mechatronic student and it could be really nice to know more about you! Nice work, im very impressed. Thank you for doing this work for helping people (:
Its truly heart warming.I had been searching for such help after reading a story about a little Indian girl whose arm was cut by a violent mob during riots.It was published by a women’ organisation who helped her reach hospital. I have written to them about you hoping that help find it way to the needy victims.Thank you and keep it up.
Hey i am abheerup, robotics engineer, grad. student.
I saw your videos…they are great..i had the same vision. & so i recently completed a project on “muti-phalange controllable robotic prosthetic arm” using myoelectrics.
& it can open n close individual fingers as per the amputee’s choice. That’s an advancement over your arms..
I’d like to work with you guys.
Hello Abheerup! Please feel free to reach out directly to the limbitless team through their email information above!
its so awesome that people do this! using new technologies to make the world a better place!!!!
Hi there, nice work!
I have a palsy of the posterior interosseus nerve
I would need a device that allows me to open the fingers when I raise my hand carpus
Some advice for me?
Thank you
P.S: someone from Italy?
Hello! Best place to get that answer would be in our forums and Google+ community!
Forums are here: http://forums.enablingthefuture.org/
Google+ is here: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/102497715636887179986
Thank you!
Sorry but what is the 3rd menu item of the main eNABLE web site? 🙂
Are there existing blueprint style renderings of these with measurements …. a 3d printer is beyond reach bit I have access to good tools and light weight hardwood lumber
Hello Harold – I do not believe so. They are created digitally.
If you are in need of a device – our volunteers can help print for you and you could assemble if you wanted to.
My daughter was born with a partial left hand conventional prosthetics do not work for her. How do I go about getting one of these wonderful devices for her.
Hi Jessica! Please fill out the intake form in the “Get involved” tab or you can email us at support@enablecommunityfoundation.org and one of our volunteers can help!
Hello guys I’m from India. I’m really happy to see what you are doing
A friend of mine like to have printed hand with which she can play guitar . Whether any of the available designs be used for that. Or can you guys help me make one
Hello Varun! We currently have a design contest going right now – hoping to get some entries for that sort of thing but until then – you can click on the “Get involved” tab on the website and visit the Google+ or Forums and volunteers may be able to assist you with that!
Congrats for all this project! Want to be a part and work for it
Hello Carlos! Please fill out the intake form and welcome!
Hello, I am a student at Raisbeck Aviation High School which is a STEM and aviation focused school in Seattle, Washington. I love what you guys do and I have many fellow students who are very interested as well. We have access to multiple 3D printers and I think it would be great to start a club and fund raise to be able to truly get involved and make hands. Our school is very open to projects along these lines but I need to figure out some logistics before I go to the principal. Do you think this could work? Any thoughts or suggestions?
Hello Veronica! My name is Jen Owen and I am the wife of Ivan Owen – the fellow that created the first hand. We are actually located near Seattle as well and I would be happy to help!
Please email me at jen.owen@enablingthefuture.org 🙂
This is awesome. I have 3 3d printers I use to print and sell items for a local charity. Would love to put them to use building hands.
The K-1 Hand looks awesome!
My hubby and I have a 3D printer and a granddaughter who needs a mechanical arm and we are in Australia and we would like some tips and tricks and to how to customerise and fit the arm. She has an elbow but no wrist or hand so we are looking at the Derek style arm
Hi Karen! Please try the Team Unlimbited arm!! We have some folks in Melbourne who may be able to help you too! Here is their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/enableMelbourne/
REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK ….WELL DONE
Thank you!
Hello, we are a small company in the Netherlands. We have a 3D-printer and would love to help. What are the possibilities? Are you also located in the Netherlands?
Hello! Our e-NABLE Community is global! We have volunteers all over the world and are always excited to find more! Please visit our Google+ community and say hello and ask if there are other volunteers in your area to connect to! Ultimaker is our website sponsor and they are in the Netherlands too! I know we have some volunteers there!
Hi e-nable, there is a saying in Nigeria here. May God Blessing you emmersly. I work with a prosthetic and orthotic firm here in Nigeria that markets and fits prosthesis for individuals who can afford it(ottobock). Here in lies the problem, for every 5 people who can afford what we offer, 25 others can’t. Such is the case all around the country.
I have been looking for something that fitts the range of the many who can’t and possibly develop a charity out of it for some worst hit war tore areas in the northern part of my country.
What i have seen so far on e-nable shows that its truly possible.
Currently there are no 3D printers in my country, but is it possible to pick a design for a patient and have his/her spec sent to someone in another country to have it printed and sent back to us here.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Brian Chijioke Ahamefula
Hello Brian! Thank you for your comment! YES! We have someone on the ground in Nigeria who would love to talk to you and we have some volunteers who are eager to print for specific recipients if you can get images and measurements for them!
please email me at jen.owen@enablingthefuture.org and I will put you in touch with Umar!
I haven’t visited the e-Nable web site for several months so I was wonderfully surprised to see the changes. Having clear pictures and descriptions of each available hand and watching the videos of the young girl assembling the Raptor was fantastic. I have purchased a 3D printer and will be experimenting with it and different plastics to see what I can make. Maybe an e-Nable device in the future.
All of them looks pretty awesome! Absolutely great work
Thank you! The Community is awesome and working hard!
I live in SC and we have been working with several schools to build hands. We know it is hard to get matched with a child in our area but we now have hands that could be donated to a hand drive except we can’t find any information on the web site that says you are still doing that. Can someone contact me to see if we can move forward with this? fay@usucceed.com
Hello Fay!! Yes! Please send them to Chris at handchallenge.com 🙂 He is gathering them to ship to places like Ghana, Nigeria, India etc. I believe he has over 600 schools involved and we would love to see your schools put themselves on our chapters map so that families locally can find you too!!
http://enablingthefuture.org/e-nable-community-chapters/
Thank you so very much!
I have a grand daughter who has a thumb and pinky finger on her right hand…someday she wants to be able to play a flute….what can we do to make this happen?
I have a son that was born without a left hand. He has wrist movement but no fingers or thumb and not much for a palm. We have a 3D printer and would like to build him a hand but we just do not know what the best option would be for him. He is 2 years old now.
Hi Theron!
We suggest that you wait until he is at least 3-4 years old, as these devices have a lot of small parts that can cause choking hazards.
If he doesn’t have enough palm, you will want to try the team unlimbited arm that is elbow driven. 🙂
Check the chapters page to see if there is a chapter near you who could help build and teach you and make sure it fits properly. 🙂
But please wait until he is older, so he doesn’t hurt himself or others (strapping a plastic thing to a toddler’s arm is generally asking for a few head bonks and fat lips to other kids around him as he has to learn how to wield extensions to his body!)
Hello, I heard about you just in the Google IO 2017. I am an android developer from India. I promise to learn more about you and try to help you and with you in our Country.
I really loved what you do!