Video: Dave and Brandy discuss the entries
Create a 3D printable tool to assist individuals with limited use of their hands.
Original contest video
Six winners have been announced for the Within Reach worldwide 3D printing design challenge, launched in June 2016 by MatterHackers, in partnership with Enablingthefuture.org, Pinshape, and Ultimaker. The challenge was to create new assistive tools for those with limited use of their hands. Submissions were accepted from July 11th to September 6th, 2016. To encourage participation of both professional designers as well as summer camps, classrooms, and makerspaces, winners were announced in two categories: youth (under 18) and adults (18 and over). All designs are available for download and printing below. Congratulations to all of our winners, and thank you to the 203 designers who entered!
The Australian creators of “The Nail It”, Nima Yahyaabady (Year 7) and Aidan Mansell (Year 9), designed a simple and cost effective solution for Mr. Knight – their Engineering teacher who has an amputated thumb. Congratulations to our winner!
From Canada, Amy W submitted FIVE designs – all with compelling video detailing her design and iteration processes. While her “Tip Blade” design was also a favorite, her Zipper Pull is a useful, attractive, and easy to print solution to a persistent, daily problem. It’s so simple, but so effective!
Johan, a 15-year old French-speaker from Switzerland, designed a simple attachment for people like Brandy (without use of their fingers) to make typing easier.
The 'Hashi Beta' - an engaging gadget to help anyone use chopsticks. The video is half the fun!
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Simple idea, elegantly executed. These 3D printable tabs (with custom decorative designs) provide assistance for opening refrigerator drawers with inaccessible lips instead of handles.
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Shown in use by Brandy while judging, this fixture allows drawer-opening access via your wrist or arm instead of fingers or hands. It’s useful for people with hand challenges, or for doctors and dentists who may need to access items in drawers without disrupting the sterilization of their hands.
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Fusionist created a simple and accessible doorknob adaptor, designed to be assembled with no additional parts – even the assembly tool is 3D printed! The video takes us through his design process, and is a fantastic example of how 3D printing can be used to take an idea from concept to useable part. Congratulations to our winner!
This tool is so helpful to those with limited use of their hands – in two ways! Gontran designed a device to open snap-on lids, which require finger dexterity. The pointed tip design also allows for easy opening of inner plastic seals without struggling with small tabs and seams.
Bjorn Kok from the Netherlands designed a 3D-printable adaptor for broom handles that includes wrist and elbow supports, along with a moveable handle. Use case is limited only by your imagination. Brandy wanted to try Stand-Up Paddling, and now sees this as possible, thanks to Bjorn’s design!
Simple adapter to make using a faucet tap easier.
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Concept design for food tray to be carried via arm braces instead of hands.
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ChaoticDrums has designed the Key Lock Twister to make using keys easier for those who have trouble opening door locks.
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Dave Gaylord
Dave Gaylord, Director of Marketing at MatterHackers, Inc., is a Design Engineer with 10+ years of professional experience in 3D Printing. Dave has design experience and familiarity with many manufacturing techniques but is particularly passionate about 3D Printing and the ability to make quick design iterations and functional prototypes. His experience comes from professional positions as a Product Development Engineer designing consumer devices and an R&D Engineer for implantable medical devices and surgical tools. Dave earned his Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's degree at Cal Poly, SLO and a Biomedical Engineering Master's degree from Purdue University.
Jen and Ivan Owen
Ivan Owen is the co-designer of the first 3D printed hand that was created for ayoung boy in South Africa in 2013. Since releasing the design for this hand as an open source file, he has continued to collaborate on design improvements withthe global volunteer e-NABLE Community, as well as mentoring students at theUniversity of Washington Bothell in the engineering and makerspace labs.
Jen Owen is the wife of Ivan Owen, and the creator of the enablingthefuture.org website and blog. She hopes to see more 3D printing in schools and the education system in the future so that the next generation of makers will have the skills they need to help them change the world for the better.
Les Hall
Les has been a Maker all his life, always creating things with passion and purpose. He earned his BS EE and MSEE degrees at NCSU and spent ten years in the industry. Today, Les specializes in areas of 3D printing, electronics,and software. Les became involved with e-NABLE in 2014 and his contributions include the early application of electronics to the prosthetics as well as participation in the R&D community. Both his “Spidey Sense” and “Phone Home” concepts are well received at e-NABLE.
Brandy Leigh Scott
Brandy Leigh Scott is a loyal Baltimore Orioles & Ravens fan, Emerson College graduate, and Post Production Supervisor for various television shows. Currently she is working on Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team on CMT, and Clash of the Grandmas for Food Network. When not at work, you can usually find Brandy checking out a band anywhere from Staples Center to the Sunset Strip. Brandy was diagnosed with Dupuytren's Disease when she was only seven years old, and the progression over the years has left her hands almost completely closed.
