LaChappelle robo arm
Easton LaChappelle and a prosthetic hand
Stratasys and Dassault Systèmes have partnered with Easton LaChappelle, the founder of Unlimited Tomorrow, to transform the development of prosthetic limbs with their respective technologies.
The alliance was announced at SOLIDWORKS World 2018, and will see Stratasys become the exclusive provider of 3D printing technology to the prosthetics initiative set up by LaChappelle when he was 17, and Dassault the exclusive CAD/ CAE supplier. Unlimited Tomorrow is working to develop a new concept of an exoskeleton to help paraplegics walk again, and is also producing open source robotic arms. Now 22, LaChappelle has secured partnerships with two leading additive manufacturing players.
Stratasys will offer its 3D printing technology designed specifically for the medical sector and the expertise of its PolyJet team and Direct Manufacturing service. Dassault Systèmes, meanwhile, will lend its SOLIDWORKS applications, allowing Unlimited Tomorrow to benefit from an integrated design-to-creation process and shorten development time.
“We view 3D printing as a catalyst for healthcare innovation to enable better patient care, streamline procedures, and improve learning,” said Arita Mattsoff, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility at Stratasys. “That’s why a main component of our Corporate Social Responsibility program is focused on accessibility of devices – driving true change, improving quality-of-life, and advancing recipients’ self-esteem.
“Unlimited Tomorrow is bettering the lives of children worldwide with practical and affordable custom-fit devices. We’re proud to team with long-time partner Dassault Systèmes and Unlimited Tomorrow, bringing the technology and know-how to create the best artificial limbs.”
“In this highly competitive market, true industry leaders encourage efficiency and creativity across all aspects of their operations – particularly in design, manufacturing, and product development,” added Suchit Jain, Vice President, Strategy & Business Development, SOLIDWORKS, Dassault Systèmes. “Time and again, SOLIDWORKS is the go-to portfolio of applications that makes real innovation possible. It’s very rewarding to align with Stratasys to advance Unlimited Tomorrow’s global initiative.”
Unlimited Tomorrow will collaborate with its new partners to research, develop and produce prosthetics with the latest 3D printing and CAD design technology. Remaining the same will be the company’s commitment to putting the recipient of said prostheses first, harnessing tools from the likes of Stratasys and Dassault to engineer custom devices, with greater comfort, and less hassle.
LaChappelle founded the organisation in a bid to overcome many of the challenges faced with prosthetic limbs, particularly those manufactured for children. Typically, a costly purchase, costing anywhere between $20,000 and $100,000, child prostheses are quickly outgrown. Unlimited Tomorrow has approached the manufacture of artificial limbs with common pain points like customisation, weight and cost in mind. Today’s announcement will serve to enhance this service, and represents a significant checkpoint in Unlimited Tomorrow’s mission.
“Unlimited Tomorrow is driven by enabling the possible, with unique thinking that results in absolutely incredible ideas,” said Easton LaChappelle, Founder of Unlimited Tomorrow. “Our intent is always ‘user-first’, meaning the technology serves needs of patients from the outset – and it’s all driven by the most advanced technology. We are honoured to have Stratasys and Dassault Systemes join our growing enterprise coalition, further empowering us to change the paradigm for personalised, 3D printed prosthetics and accelerate our-go-to market.”
Unlimited Tomorrow currently has a live Indiegogo campaign to help fund its efforts.
