The journey of early childhood is a profound period of physical and cognitive development, where the ability to move independently plays a crucial role in fostering a child’s burgeoning autonomy and honing their physical capabilities. For many children, this journey is straightforward. However, for those facing certain health conditions, achieving mobility often requires the dedicated assistance of caregivers and specialized assistive devices. This is where innovative initiatives like MakeGood, in collaboration with dedicated manufacturers such as General Pattern Company, are making a significant impact, leveraging the power of 3D printing to create custom, affordable mobility solutions for young children.
The Genesis of MakeGood: A Vision for Accessible Assistive Technology
MakeGood’s story began in 2021 in New Orleans, a city with a resilient spirit and a community that often faces unique challenges. Noam Platt, the founder of MakeGood, was inspired to create the organization after a local family reached out for assistance in designing a specialized chair for their son, who has cerebral palsy. This initial request underscored a critical gap in the existing healthcare system: the often-prohibitive cost and lengthy waiting periods associated with acquiring essential mobility devices for children.
From its inception, 3D printing was envisioned as a cornerstone of MakeGood’s mission. Platt recognized its potential to democratize the creation of assistive technology, making it more affordable and adaptable to individual needs. The technology allows for rapid design customization and iterative improvements, crucial for developing devices that are both effective and user-friendly for children. Furthermore, 3D printing enables a distributed manufacturing model, allowing MakeGood to tap into a network of local makers, ensuring that devices can be produced closer to the families who need them. This approach bypasses the traditional, often cumbersome, healthcare and durable medical equipment (DME) systems, providing families with devices free of charge and without the inherent delays and bureaucratic hurdles.
"Our mission is to design high-quality effective assistive technology that anyone can make for themselves," Platt articulated. "Everything we design can be made by individuals, skipping the insurance companies, DME system, healthcare system, etc. It really is about radical self-reliance." This philosophy of empowerment and accessibility has guided MakeGood’s growth.
The MakeGood Network: A Growing Community of Makers
Today, MakeGood boasts a robust network of over 1,100 makers, a diverse group that includes passionate hobbyists with advanced 3D printing skills and established full-service manufacturing companies seeking to contribute to their communities. This expanding network is the engine that drives MakeGood’s ability to fulfill its mission. Individuals and companies within this network volunteer their time and resources to produce mobility devices, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
General Pattern Company: A Manufacturer Embraces a Social Mission
Among the dedicated members of the MakeGood network is General Pattern Company, a family-owned business with a rich history dating back four generations. Based in Blaine, Minnesota, General Pattern is a vertically integrated molder and moldmaker. The company has a history of integrating additive manufacturing into its operations, utilizing 3D printing for applications such as Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) fixturing, part prototyping, and mold tooling. This established expertise in manufacturing, combined with a deep-seated commitment to community service and outreach, made General Pattern an ideal partner for MakeGood.
Andrew Fielder, a metrology engineer at General Pattern, discovered MakeGood while searching for impactful 3D printing projects. Recognizing the synergy between MakeGood’s humanitarian mission and General Pattern’s core values, Fielder saw an opportunity for the company to make a tangible difference. He presented the idea of becoming a designated manufacturer to Denny Reiland, the CEO and third-generation owner of General Pattern.
Reiland’s enthusiastic endorsement was immediate. "The reason I brought it to him was from what I’ve learned of Denny in the year I’ve worked here, is any excuse he has to give back to the community he’s all about," Fielder explained. "It took about a minute of conversation with him and he loved it." This swift acceptance paved the way for General Pattern to join MakeGood’s ranks as a vetted maker.
Becoming a Vetted Maker: Ensuring Quality and Reach
To become a "vetted maker," individuals and companies must undergo a rigorous qualification process. This involves demonstrating proficiency with their 3D printing equipment through required test prints, which are then meticulously reviewed by MakeGood. The organization requires several high-resolution photographs of these prints to screen for any imperfections, such as ill-fitting parts or warped prints.
"We make sure each vetted maker has a tuned printer by required test prints, and then we also require several photos," Platt elaborated. "At this touchpoint we can screen for ill-fitting parts, warped prints and other errors. We find very, very few problems." This meticulous approach ensures that the devices produced are of high quality and meet MakeGood’s exacting standards.
Once vetted, makers are added to MakeGood’s interactive map, allowing families within a designated radius to identify and connect with local manufacturing partners. Fielder, as a vetted maker in the Minneapolis region, can now serve families within approximately a 200-mile radius, facilitating local production and delivery of these vital devices. Families initiate their requests through the MakeGood portal, where local makers can then claim projects and begin the manufacturing process.
The Toddler Mobility Trainer (TMT): A Stepping Stone to Independence
MakeGood focuses on providing designs for a range of assistive devices, but its primary emphasis lies in the production of Toddler Mobility Trainers (TMTs). These devices, often described as miniature wheelchairs, are specifically engineered to empower children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or other diverse physical abilities to navigate their environment with greater ease and independence.
The TMT design itself is a testament to innovative problem-solving. It was conceived by Schuyler Livingston of LINK PBC, who responded to an online request from Platt for a 3D printable version of an older, wood-based design that was originally created using CNC machinery. Livingston’s design cleverly addresses the challenge of producing large components on standard desktop 3D printers. He engineered assembly methods that allow these larger parts to be printed in sections, which are then seamlessly joined.
"He put in the effort to design clever ways to assemble large components using a regular consumer 3D printer," Platt remarked about Livingston’s contribution.
The TMT is designed for children aged 1 to 8 years old and is optimized for filament 3D printers with a minimum build volume of 256 x 256 x 256 mm. While larger printers can print certain components, like wheels, in a single piece, users with smaller machines can print them in multiple segments. The Bambu Lab 3D printers have become a popular choice within the MakeGood maker network due to their reliability and consistent performance, contributing to the repeatability of the printed parts.
Bridging the Gap: Overcoming Healthcare System Limitations
The need for devices like the TMT is underscored by the persistent challenges families face when trying to access mobility aids through traditional channels. "Many insurance companies deny families’ mobility devices, or make them wait 5+ years between supplying them with devices," Platt stated. "The TMT is a low-cost effective solution that fills those gaps."
Beyond cost and accessibility, the TMT offers a unique advantage: fostering a sense of autonomy. Unlike passive mobility aids such as strollers or carriers, the TMT is designed to be operated by the child, granting them a significant degree of personal control and independence.
"At this age, having something a little more age-appropriate makes a big difference to the kids," commented Marcy Krosch, senior vice president of sales at General Pattern.
The TMT is also viewed as a crucial developmental tool. "The design is intended to be a kind of steppingstone into a full-sized mobility device," Fielder added. MakeGood reports that many children successfully transition from the TMT to walkers as they grow, benefiting from the enhanced independence and physical strength developed while using the 3D printed device.
The Manufacturing Process at General Pattern: Precision and Personalization
General Pattern has undertaken the production of eight TMTs to date, utilizing a combination of the company’s five Bambu 3D printers and Fielder’s personal machine at home. The manufacturing process involves printing approximately 40 structural components, a task that requires around 330 hours of printing time, spread across roughly 28 individual print jobs.
The primary material used for the structural components is PETG, known for its durability and ease of printing. For the cushions and other softer elements, General Pattern employs either standard TPU or an active-foaming TPU. The latter material offers the advantage of producing varying durometers (degrees of hardness) depending on the print temperature, allowing for customized comfort.
The use of active-foaming TPU presented a learning curve for Fielder. "The material bonds super well to the build plate. Turns out, unfortunately too well. So I did ruin a build plate in the process," he candidly shared. However, a simple solution involving a layer of blue painter’s tape on the build plate resolved the adhesion issue. General Pattern’s positive experience with this filament has extended beyond TMT production; they now use it to prototype foam parts for customers, which are later produced through injection molding in mass production.
Each TMT requires only a few readily available off-the-shelf components to complete the assembly: two bearings, two washers, and six bolts. James Meyer, a colleague from General Pattern’s metrology department, collaborates with Fielder on the assembly process. "With the two of us it probably takes around an hour," Fielder stated. "The parts dovetail and kind of slide into place, and then as you assemble it further, one component locks in another component." This efficient assembly process further contributes to the practicality of the TMT design.
Customization and Community Impact: Adding a Personal Touch
A key element of the MakeGood initiative is the opportunity for personalization, allowing children to have a device that reflects their personality. Families are encouraged to provide information about their child’s favorite colors and interests when submitting a request. Makers like Fielder then look for ways to incorporate these aesthetic touches into the device. This element of customization not only makes the TMT more appealing to the child but also fosters a deeper sense of ownership and pride.
General Pattern has set a goal to produce one mobility device per month for a family within the MakeGood network. This commitment underscores their dedication to the initiative and their understanding of the profound impact these devices can have on young lives.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The collaboration between MakeGood and General Pattern exemplifies the transformative potential of additive manufacturing when applied to social good. Fielder sees this as a powerful demonstration of 3D printing’s versatility: "I think it’s a really good way for both manufacturers and hobbyists alike to be able to do something that’s not only a useful 3D print, but also something that shows the world some other uses of additive manufacturing."
Krosch echoed this sentiment, expressing pride in her company’s involvement: "It makes me incredibly proud to be part of this company, and seeing our team committed to making a difference."
Platt views the makers as heroes in their communities. "For the makers, this is a real opportunity to be a true hero to people in their communities," he stated. The anecdotal evidence from families and clinicians is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the significant impact on children’s lives. "We are hearing that kids are becoming much more independent, and with mobility comes brain development as well. Perhaps the most important thing is that the chairs are fun! The colors and style fit into the lives of kids, and their friends love them. So now the kids go from being the ‘other’ to being the coolest one on the playground. We have heard from parents and clinicians that this is a revolutionary device that will change pediatric mobility outcomes for generations."
The success of initiatives like MakeGood, powered by the dedication of makers and manufacturers like General Pattern, signals a promising future for accessible assistive technology. By harnessing the innovative capabilities of 3D printing and fostering a spirit of community collaboration, these efforts are not only providing children with essential mobility but are also empowering them with newfound independence, confidence, and a brighter outlook on their developmental journey. The ripple effect of this innovation promises to benefit pediatric mobility outcomes for years to come, demonstrating that technology, when guided by compassion, can indeed change lives.
