With 3D printing, Aabentoft gives wheelchair users control
At Aabentoft in Hornslet, they are accustomed to creating specially designed and customer-customized products. And now they have a new tool for precisely that.
At the beginning of 2020, a new machine arrives at Aabentoft. It is only on loan, but it turns out to be quickly replaced by one of their own purchased machines. Aabentoft has participated in Dansk AM Hub and Center for Industri's 3DP Try Out. Here, companies borrow a 3D printer for one month at a time, and then it's just a matter of getting started.
At Aabentoft, they handle sales, service, and total solutions within the REHAB and MEDICO industries. Total solutions for controlling joystick-operated electric wheelchairs, as well as all forms of service and repair for electric wheelchairs and other types of assistive devices, are one of the company's strengths. All wheelchair users are unique, which requires the chair to be equally unique.
The case: Overview and context
Where 3D printing makes a lot of sense for Aabentoft is with the many specially produced assistive devices they make for, e.g., wheelchair users. This could be people with reduced muscle strength who cannot operate the panel or joystick on the standard-produced control panel of the wheelchair. Here, one can quickly design a unit, button, new joystick, or whatever the individual needs to be able to operate a wheelchair.
“We often produce custom-made items, so for what we do, 3D printing is a very good medium, and something we look forward to exploring further,” says Per Aabentoft, Managing Director at Aabentoft.
Per Aabentoft is not certain that there will be a financial gain from 3D printing right here and now, but he is quite sure that they can make a better product by being able to produce the customised mounts and other items that can make a world of difference for, for example, a wheelchair user who would not be able to operate a control panel on the wheelchair without a custom-made device that, for instance, makes it possible to turn knobs with the palm of the hand instead of the fingers, or similar.
Results from programmes with Dansk AM Hub
- With 3D printing, you can tailor a product
- Reduce development and production time
- Specially produced items
Value and impact for the company
“Normally, you would need to produce many units of, for example, print mounts, plug adapters and similar items, but with 3D printing you can tailor a product and make a single unit adapted to the individual user,” says Rasmus Koch, Technician at Aabentoft.
At the same time, it often takes a long time to have the customised products manufactured, and here the company also sees great opportunities to reduce development and production time for these items by making them with 3D printing.
At Aabentoft they have invested in a 3D printer themselves after participating in 3DP Try Out and have high expectations for what can be achieved with 3D printing in the long term.
“I see great potential in niche production-that we can make small units that are 100% specialised for the individual user,” concludes Rasmus Koch.
About the company
A/S Aabentoft
Location
Løgtenvej 93, 8541 Skødstrup
Number of employees
25
Info
Highly professional technical assistive device service, as well as assistive devices within AAC, cognition, sensory rooms, arm supports, robotic arms, eating aids, etc.
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