Vigilancia Tecnológica

Abstract The loss of a lower limb has a profound impact on an individual’s mobility, necessitating the development of prosthetic feet as a restorative solution. However, the production of prosthetic feet for end-users faces challenges due to the diverse array of process variables, and materials involved. This study aims to investigate the effects of process variables, namely nozzle hole diameter (0.15mm, 0.25mm, 0.40mm) and internal filling pattern (grid, honeycomb, and tri-hexagon), on the compression behaviour of three composite materials: poly lactic acid reinforced with carbon fibre, polyethylene terephthalate glycol reinforced with carbon fibre, and poly lactic acid reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes. These components are fabricated using fused filament fabrication. The manufactured samples were subjected to compression testing, followed by a thorough analysis of failure morphology. Statistical analysis, specifically Taguchi's methodology and response surface methodology, are employed to assess how compression behaviour varies with the specified process variable. The study’s findings are leveraged to develop a foot prosthesis through fused filament fabrication, emphasizing superior compressive strength. The results of this study emphasize the direct relevance and practical utility of this research within the field of foot prostheses.