Open-Source Designs for Distributed Manufacturing of Low-Cost Customized Walkers

Abstract

To improve accessibility, this article describes a static, four-legged walker that can be constructed from materials and fasteners commonly available from hardware stores coupled by open-source 3D-printed joints. The designs are described in detail, shared under an open-source license, and fabricated with a low-cost open-source desktop 3D printer and hand tools. The resulting device is loaded to failure to determine the maximum load that the design can safely support in both vertical and horizontal failure modes. The experimental results showed that the average vertical failure load capacity was 3680 ± 694.3 N, equivalent to 375.3 ± 70.8 kg of applied weight with the fractured location at the wood dowel handlebars. The average horizontal load capacity was 315.6 ± 49.4 N, equivalent to 32.2 ± 5.1 kg. The maximum weight capacity of a user of 187.1 ± 29.3 kg was obtained, which indicates that the open-source walker design can withstand the weight requirements of all genders with a 95% confidence interval that includes a safety factor of 1.8 when considering the lowest deviation weight capacity. The design has a cost at the bottom of the range of commercial walkers and reduces the mass compared to a commercial walker by 0.5 kg (19% reduction). It can be concluded that this open-source walker design can aid accessibility in low-resource settings.

Recent Inventions in Additive Manufacturing: Holistic Review

“…In one of his latest inventions, his team made an open-source walker, which is a customizable device, whereby the joints are additively manufactured on desktop machines and the tubing is cut to size. The goal of the project is to make a walker that is both open-source and customizable, as well as cost-effective [91].…”

The Effects of Structural Characteristics of the Rollator on the Elderly’s Gait Strategies in Various Walking Environments

“…Previous studies have compared and analyzed the differences between the two types of walkers in terms of biomechanics. So et al [7] reported that the wheeled walkers, rather than standard walkers which require lifting the device off the ground when walking, can help elderly people with reduced upper body strength maintain a natural walking pattern. Li et al [8] compared the clinical effectiveness of two types of walkers and found that using wheeled walkers was faster and involved less energy expenditure than standard walkers.…”