A Sweet Penguin Walks Again With a 3D Printed Boot Made With the Help of Middle School Students

A sweet and endangered penguin nicknamed “Purps” at the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut had injured her foot in a fight with another bird and needed help with her mobility. The aquarium thought 3D printing might be a viable solution, so they sought the guidance of experts from the ACT Group/3D Systems and some help from the local middle school to design and create a supporting boot for Purps. The team worked very well together – the aquarium provided veterinary knowledge, the ACT Group shared their expertise, the children learned a new skill and Purps could walk and swim effortlessly once again.

Working as a team, Mystic Aquarium, ACT Group and the middle school students came together to design and 3D print a new boot for Purps. With anatomical guidance from Mystic Aquarium’s veterinary staff and technical training from the professionals at ACT Group, the students led the design and manufacturing process using 3D Systems’ end-to-end solutions

photos via 3D Systems

submitted via Laughing Squid Tips