Methodology for the manufacture of a transtibial prosthesis based on carbon fiber composite and epoxy resin Metodología para la fabricación de una prótesis transtibial a base de material compuesto de fibra de carbono y resina epóxica

© 2018, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. All rights reserved. The problematic of handicap people, especially amputees, significantly impacts to the society. Existing prosthesis gives solutions that discourage amputee¿s expectations; high costs are not often accessible for most of them. This research includes a methodology for construction of a prototype mold for manufacturing a generic foot prosthetic, Whose objective is to develop a methodology of design, manufacture and that is of low cost. There are a large number of materials that can be used in a prosthetic limb, in this experiment a composite material of 3K carbon fiber and epoxy resin was used, of which stress tests were performed under ASTM D3039 with orientation of [0/90/ ± 45] s where a maximum load of 14276,25 N was obtained, taking as a basis the results obtained from the material to carry out the manufacture of the first prototype transtibial prosthesis which was manufactured with the technique proposed in this investigation. Once fabricated, it was subjected to static load tests under ISO 10328, where the laminate was tested, which was used in addition to the suggested methodology. The considerable reduction in manufacturing time, weight and average cost in relation to commercial prostheses was corroborated.