UA_Engineer_25_FINAL_spreads (1) - Flipbook - Page 21
SOME MAKERS’
INNOVATIONS
QUICK CLAMP
Existing models of motorized scooter attachments are often bulky,
fragile and potentially unsafe. To address these issues, TOM members
developed a low-cost, 3D-printed attachment that securely integrates
the scooter with the wheelchair. The design uses a simple lever
mechanism to grip the chair and a receptacle for the scooter, both of
which can be fully customized. A parameterized system allows users to
input their own measurements into a website, which then generates a
personalized 3D CAD model. This makes the device highly accessible,
as anyone with a 3D printer can produce it. The quick clamp’s
customizable nature ensures a comfortable, reliable fit for a wide
range of wheelchair users.
PARAMETRIC PROSTHETIC LEG COVER
The team created a lightweight, 3D-printed shell that clamps around
a prosthetic leg to mimic the appearance of a biological limb. The
design can be secured using either magnets or tape, making it simple
to assemble and remove. A parameterized model allows users to input
measurements from both their prosthetic and biological legs into a
code-based CAD program, which then generates a personalized design.
Since the parts are 3D-printed, the covers can be manufactured quickly,
accurately and at roughly 10 to 30 times less cost than existing market
options. The process is accessible to anyone with a 3D printer, allowing
for easy replication and customization. This approach provides both
aesthetic and functional benefits, giving users a leg cover that fits
precisely and looks natural. The project emphasizes speed, accuracy
and affordability in assistive design.
AUGMENTED HAND CONTROLS
The augmented hand controls project addresses the challenges drivers
with quadriplegia or paraplegia face when using hand controls in newer
vehicles with atypical pedal geometries. Traditional designs use two
rigid metal bars, which can be difficult to attach securely if a pedal
has protrusions or curves. To improve safety and stability, the team
developed a 3D-printed stabilizer with a set screw that runs along the
stem of the hand control, preventing unwanted movement. They also
replaced the rigid attachment method with a flexible buckle-and-rope
system that hugs the back of the pedal. This design offers greater
adaptability and stability, especially at high speeds where safety is
paramount. While functional, the current prototype is still being refined
to make installation easier for drivers with disabilities. The result is a
safer, more versatile assistive driving solution.
WHEEL COVER
The wheel cover was created to help wheelchair users keep their wheels
clean during recreational activities such as camping. Mud, dirt and debris
can make it difficult to enter tents or indoor spaces, and some users
resort to carrying extra wheels, a cumbersome and heavy solution. The
team’s alternative is a set of lightweight covers made from repurposed
bike tires and a small 3D-printed component. The covers function like
“shoes” for a wheelchair. They are worn outside, then removed indoors.
They are easy to put on and take off and can be installed independently
by wheelchair users. By repurposing materials, the design emphasizes
sustainability while keeping production costs low. The wheel cover offers
a practical, affordable and eco-friendly way to maintain mobility and
cleanliness in outdoor settings.
- Summaries by McKenzie Knight
FALL 2025 | CAPSTONE ENGINEER | 21
