Fabricating 3D printed assistive equipment with ChildServe

Name: Fabricating 3D printed assistive equipment with ChildServe
Rating: 3.8 (4 reviews)

3D printing, occupational therapy, pediatrics

Created byYoung Jang

Last updated 4/2025

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Identify the importance of assistive equipment in pediatric OT
Discuss why 3D printing assistive equipment is appropriate for children
Recognize the cost-effectiveness of using 3D printing to fabricate assistive equipment for children
NA

Course content

4 sections • 20 lectures • 29m total length

Introduction and Objectives0:47
Identify the importance of pediatric assistive equipment and discuss why 3D printed devices suit children, while recognizing the cost effectiveness of 3D printing for fabrication.
Needs Assessment0:16
Conduct a needs assessment to determine if adapting 3D printed assistive equipment, compared to commercially available products, improves independence and functional engagement for children with disability.
Review of Literature1:19
3d printed assistive equipment enhances occupational performance and independence for children with disability, enabling inclusion in dressing tasks, education, and daily activities with customizable, low-cost devices.

Capstone Area of Focus & Overarching Goal0:38
Develop a 3d printing program to fabricate adaptive, individualized assistive equipment with the 3d printing community, promoting safety, independence, and improved occupational performance for children with disabilities.
Contribution to Occupational Therapy0:45
Utilize 3d printing to fabricate customizable assistive equipment; occupational therapists collaborate with children and caregivers to tailor cad designs and reprint devices for independence in dressing, eating, playing, and education.
Guiding Approach for Capstone0:36
Apply compensatory frames of reference to guide a capstone that enhances occupational performance with tailored 3D printed assistive equipment, promoting safety, independence, and engagement in dressing, playing, and eating.
Capstone Connection to OTD Program Themes1:02
Apply evidence-based research to fabricate 3d printed assistive equipment for children with disability, collaborating with 3d printing communities and occupational therapists to promote safety and quality of life at ChildServe.

Doctoral Capstone Site Information0:50
Explore the doctoral capstone site at Charles Serve, Iowa (ChildServe), outlining outpatient and inpatient rehab, behavioral health, and medical services, and show how 3D printed assistive equipment enables client participation.
Learning Objective & Learning Activity #11:10
Identify assistive equipment needs for children served by ChildServe that cannot be purchased, and outline a 3D printed fabrication workflow from computer aided design to final product, with terminology infographics.
Learning Activity #1 in Action part 12:34
Guides a step-by-step workflow for printing assistive equipment, detailing 3D printing terminology—bed, filament, infill, lattice supports, overhangs—and CAD options plus a flow sheet from design to client education.
Learning Activity #1 in Action part 23:30
Explore CAD resources for 3d printed assistive equipment, with links from Tech owl, Thingiverse, Iatp, Autodesk, and Access 3d; download CAD files for devices like pill ejectors.
Learning Activity #1 in Action part 32:31
Explore 3D printer hardware and software with beginner guides for Bambu Lab machines, including infill, supports, nozzle settings, layers, magnets, resizing, scaling, and AI-powered printing.
Learning Activity #1 in Action part 43:39
Learn beginner 3D printing with the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon, including AMS, plates, filament types, setup videos, troubleshooting, first layer fundamentals, and beginner CAD tools like Tinkercad and Fusion 360.
Learning Objective & Learning Activity #20:49
Forge partnerships with the Des Moines 3D printing community, including universities and makerspaces. Help therapists fabricate assistive equipment for Child Serve Johnston and reduce startup and maintenance costs.
Learning Activity #2 in Action2:47
Learn to fabricate 3D printed assistive equipment using thermoplastic beads, explore collaboration for operating and maintaining the 3D printer, and translate CAD designs into built up handles and adaptive devices.
Learning Activity #2 in Action part 20:56
Create a request form capturing the occupational profile, CAD source, item, and client contexts to share with therapists or collaborators, and a patient education handout on assistive equipment safety.
Individualized Learning Objective & Learning Activity0:57
Identify funders and processes for a 3D printed assistive equipment program at ChildServe, including Launchpad and Greater Des Moines Grant program, and draft eight grants with initial cost estimates.
Individualized Activity in Action part 12:37
Explore budgeting and planning for fabricating 3D printed assistive equipment with ChildServe, detailing printer options, filaments, components, moisture control, and fusion CAD program for a five-year grant-ready project.

Quiz: Knowledge Test1:09
Answer three quiz questions on material choices for children's 3D printed assistive equipment, its potential to promote participation in occupational performance, and matching outcomes to their advantages and disadvantages.
References and Acknowledgement0:53
Review the references and acknowledgments for the fabricating 3d printed assistive equipment project with ChildServe, and learn how to reach the presenter with questions.

Requirements

No prerequisites required.

Description

My capstone experience consists of three parts, all directed to making a pilot program successful in ChildServe in Johnston, Iowa. The first part of the program includes an instruction manual on getting started with the firmware of the 3D printer and managing difficulties and issues that may arise with the software for computer-aided design. I have made visuals and PowerPoints to clarify directions to navigate the firmware, such as setting it up upon arrival, doing the first test with the device, and setting up the software. The second part of my capstone was to build connections with the 3D printing community in Des Moines, Iowa. To accomplish this, I have reached out to multiple people, businesses, and universities. While reaching out to the nearby communities, I have shared the important roles that occupational therapists have in working together to promote the safety and independence of each child. The last part of the project included writing up several grants and an expenses list to get the program started, as the initial cost of obtaining a 3D printer, maintenance, and updating fees would be costly. I have also gotten in contact with two grant programs available, but with my time there, I was unable to see the final result of my work.

Who this course is for:

Beginners introduction for pediatric occupational therapy and 3D printing

Fabricating 3D printed assistive equipment with ChildServe

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction3 lectures • 2min

Capstone connection to Occupational Therapy4 lectures • 3min

Learning Objectives and Activities11 lectures • 22min

Conclusion2 lectures • 2min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: