summaery2021: Projects

Project information

submitted by
Elias Fahle

Mentors
Prof. Gerrit Babtist, Dipl. Des. Sarah Böttger

Faculty:
Art and Design

Degree programme:
Productdesign (Master of Arts (M.A.))

Type of project presentation
Final project

Semester
Summer semester 2021

Project description

This orthosis is the result of an in-depth examination of personalization and, stemming from it, a search for value in the interplay of parametric design and novel computer-integrated manufacturing technology. Central to this examination was the barely-considered responsibility of design in the growing field of mass customization, an essential part of the fourth Industrial Revolution that all too often veers from the quality-focused aspirations of classic customization.

With the help of an algorithm, this self-conceived, elastic, 3D beaded webbing is generated to fit an individual’s anatomy and pointedly impede or facilitate the motion of his or her arm in a natural way during, say, their daily workout. The webbing can be configured to accurately mimic the functionality of one’s personal musculature as well as adjusted to fit one’s constitution using bead size and formation and different strengths and orientations of elastic cords. The resulting data forms the basis for translation to robotics-supported manufacturing processes. The resulting prototype represents a study of the technical possibilities of the structure and is an archetype for further variations of it, which could be utilized in other contexts such as rehabilitation after strokes or injuries.