CSCC CAD Club Volunteers With Enabling The Future To Create Prosthetic Hands

  • Tuesday, September 1, 2015
CSCC CAD Club President Mike Isbell with the 3D printer that was used to create the prosthetic hand
CSCC CAD Club President Mike Isbell with the 3D printer that was used to create the prosthetic hand

Cleveland State Community College’s Computer Aided Design Club has been volunteering with Enabling the Future, an organization that uses 3D printing to create free prosthetic hands for children with upper limb differences. 

Cleveland State student Mike Isbell found out about the organization soon after he was elected to his position as CAD Club President. 

“I wanted to do something outstanding for my community and my school,” said Mr. Isbell. “I read about what e-NABLE was doing and brought the idea to my instructor, Chuck Barkley.”

Mr. Barkley was able to find funding through a grant, and the school was able to purchase a high quality, professional 3D printer. Because of this, the CAD Club has been learning more about 3D printing, trying out new materials and techniques and building prototypes of these prosthetic devices. 

Mr. Barkley said, “Mike came to me wanting to make a difference in children's lives by creating prosthetic hands with a 3D printer. I thought it was a wonderful idea and did what was necessary to get the project going. I was very proud to see the rest of the club members get behind the idea and spend many hours working on each part of our original test hand.  I hope to see that excitement again each year as the faces change within the CAD Club.”

Mr. Isbell said, “Thanks to Chuck Barkley and CSCC, those of us in the Drafting and Design program now have the chance to be some of the first students to learn about this brand new 3D technology, and all while we work toward the ultimate goal of delivering these devices that will improve the lives of the children and families in our community.”

People who are missing their fingers or arms below the elbow can benefit from these 3D printed devices. Individuals must have a functional wrist or elbow to make most current e-NABLE devices operate properly. There are no electronics in these devices. The hands open and close by using the flexing of the wrist or elbow to create the tension to pull the fingers closed. In the last two years, e-NABLE estimates that they have delivered approximately 1,500 hands to 37 countries. 

e-NABLE does not charge for the prosthetic devices. All designers volunteer all the materials and time involved in building one, including the assembly, fitting, testing, etc. 

A professionally made prosthetic hand can cost anywhere from $8,000-$20,000. e-NABLE focuses more on underserved communities for whom traditional prostheses are too expensive. 

“We have reached a level where we are able to build these designs pretty well,” said Mr. Isbell. “This next year will be an exciting time for us as we anticipate being matched up with the first child to receive a device from this program.

"It is amazing what children can accomplish with these devices—things like helping to give them balance by allowing them to use two hands to ride a bike or swing, holding a baseball or a bat, catching a football, or even things as simple as holding a water bottle while being able to hold a snack in their other hand at the same time.”

If you live in the Cleveland-Chattanooga area and know a child who is missing fingers, but has a functional wrist, you can contact Mr. Isbell at enablecleveland@gmail.com. Mr. Isbell said he is willing to do whatever he can to help you or your loved one receive one of these devices. 

“Before I graduate in the spring of 2016, it is my personal goal to deliver one of these devices to a local child and to leave Cleveland State with a program where they may continue to provide these devices to children in our community and in the global community that is enablingthefuture.org.” 

For more information about the CAD Club’s volunteer efforts with Enabling the Future, contact Mr. Barkley at 423-472-7141, ext. 316. For more information about e-NABLE, visit the website at enablingthefuture.org

CSCC President Dr. Bill Seymour sees the new prosthetic hand for the first time with David Barnes, CAD Club reporter, and Mike Isbell, CAD Club president
CSCC President Dr. Bill Seymour sees the new prosthetic hand for the first time with David Barnes, CAD Club reporter, and Mike Isbell, CAD Club president
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