3D-printing has found a new purpose among the many it has already found: helping dogs walk again.
The technology has been used to build wheels for a puppy named "TurboRoo," who was born with a birth defect that kept his front legs from growing, according to 3Dprint.com. The little Chihuahua was taken to a veterinarian's office in Indiana last month where technicians tried to create a cart to help him walk. However, the cart did not work as intended. Ashley Looper, one of the technicians, later adopted the puppy.
Mark Deadrick, a mechanical engineer and president of 3D-printing company 3dyn, brought in a new solution. Deadrick used thumbnail measurements of Roo's photos to design a cart from 3D-modeling software and printed out the prototype on a MakerBot Replicator 3D printer. The process took almost four hours.
The project consists of a wheelchair and rollerblade wheels, and the low cost of 3D-printing can help designers build a new wheelchair for Roo in case the puppy outgrows the prototype, Bustle reported. Modifications can also be made to the cart.
Deadrick is looking to make improvements to its design, so three different versions of the cart have been printed so far, 3Dprint.com reported.
The Downtown Veterinarian staff gave a shout-out to "Mark D." on the vet's Facebook page, adding that Deadrick is currently working on other models of the cart, CNET reported. Deadrick's past work includes creating parts for the Dodge Viper and Jeep Wrangler.
A fundraising campaign has been launched by TurboRoo's caretakers on YouCaring.com to help pay for the gear the puppy needs. Starting out with a goal of $600, over $3,600 has been raised with 143 days left in the campaign.
