That's what Richard van As did after a woodworking accident in 2011 cost him four fingers. The South African carpenter decided to build his own fingers from hardware store parts but eventually turned to 3D printing.
Using a MakerBot Replicator 2 printer, he collaborated with Ivan Owen to create a prosthetic finger after much trial and error. They've since printed hands for four South African children who lack fingers.
The first was Liam, a 5-year-old boy with
amniotic band syndrome, who was born without fingers on his right hand. At the request of his mother, Van As and Owen produced
Robohand, a low-cost, 3D-printed prosthetic.
The Robohand works by a series of cables and bungee cords that are controlled by movements of the wrist and arm.
