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CANADIAN PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS JOURNAL, VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2, 2018; ABSTRACT, POSTER PRESENTATION AT THE AOPA’S 101ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, SEPT. 26-29, 
VANCOUVER, CANADA, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.32160                                                                     

 

1 

 
OPEN  ACCESS 

 

AOPA’S 101 ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ABSTRACTS, SEPTEMBER 26-29, VANCOUVER, CANADA, 2018 
 

ABSTRACT (POSTER PRESENTATION) 

THE EFFECT OF MATERIAL CHOICE AND PROCESS PARAMETERS ON THE 

MECHANICAL STRENGTH OF 3D-PRINTED TRANSTIBIAL PROSTHETIC  

Shadi Sabeti1, Silvia Ursula Raschke*2, Johanne Mattie2 

1 British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. 
2 MAKE + Applied Research, Centre for Applied Research & Innovation (CARI), Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. 

 
* Email: Silvia_Raschke@bcit.ca  

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.32160  

 

INTRODUCTION 

The most important aspect of a lower extremity 

prosthesis is the socket. The socket is the interface 

between the human and the mechanical support system1. 

There are different methods for producing prosthetic 

sockets. The traditional method requires a skilled 

prosthetist and is time consuming 2, 3. Using 3D printing 

technology for manufacturing prosthetic sockets 

promises to speed up the fabrication process and reduce 

materials and time cost significantly. 3D Printed 

prosthetic sockets have to potential to increase socket 

strength and durability. This paper investigates the effect 

of material choices and printing process parameters on 

the mechanical strength of 3D printed trans-tibial 

sockets. 

METHODS 

First available printable materials with excellent 

structural characteristics were identified. Nylon 12, 

recycled Nylon 12, and PLA were selected. The 

appropriateness of 3D Printed prosthetic sockets lies in 

its strength and durability of the sockets. 3D printing 

parameters that have impact on the mechanical properties 

of printed sockets were explored as well. Two additive 

manufacturing methods, namely Fused Deposition 

Modeling (FDM) and Selective laser sintering (SLS) 

were selected. Based on selected materials and 

manufacturing methods seven prototype sockets were 

fabricated. A standard socket attachment block and 

orthocryl sealing resin was used to connect the socket 

and pylon. ISO standard 10328 was used to statically 

evaluate the strength of printed sockets. As specific 

guidelines for trans-tibial socket testing had yet to be 

stablished the loading parameters and offset values for 

lower limb prostheses were used. A Tinius Olsen 

universal testing machine was used to test the seven 

sockets by applying vertical loads under static condition 

during early stance phase of gate cycle for an 80 kg trans-

tibial male amputee patient. Each socket was tested for a 

proof test and ultimate strength test and then loaded to 

failure in accordance with the ISO standard 10328.  

RESULTS 

After applying the loads for loading condition I and load 

level P4 specified in the standard, all sockets were loaded 

until failure. The maximum load reached in every socket 

can be seen in figure 1. Both of the unrecycled Nylon 12 

sockets resulted in the failure of the socket attachment 

system. 

Figure 1: Ultimate strength at failure for different socket 

types. N: Nylon12, P: PLA, RN: recycled Nylon 12. 

In general, all the unrecycled and recycled Nylon 12 

printed sockets met the minimum ISO standard for 

ultimate strength. However, recycled Nylon 12 

performed with lower ultimate strength than did 

unrecycled Nylon 12. The remaining two systems, the 

PLA sockets that was printed in xz direction, resulted in 

the failure of the socket before reaching the ultimate 

strength specified in ISO standard. 

CONCLUSION 

This pilot study results showed that the PLA socket 

tested do not meet the minimum requirement of the ISO 

10328. All Nylon 12 printed socket tested exceeded 

ultimate strength for ISO 10328. For two of the socket 

tested the attachment block failed before the socket 

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

N1 N2 P1 P2 RN1 RN2 RN3

L
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A
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SOCKET TYPE

mailto:Silvia_Raschke@bcit.ca
https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.32160


 

 

Sabeti S, Raschke S.U, Mattie J. THE EFFECT OF MATERIAL CHOICE AND PROCESS PARAMETERS ON THE MECHANICAL STRENGTH OF 3D-PRINTED TRANSTIBIAL PROSTHETIC. 
CANADIAN PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS JOURNAL, VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2, 2018; ABSTRACT, POSTER PRESENTATION AT THE AOPA’S 101ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, SEPT. 26-29, 
VANCOUVER, CANADA, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.32160                                                                     

 

2 

 
OPEN  ACCESS 

 

AOPA’S 101 ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ABSTRACTS, SEPTEMBER 26-29, VANCOUVER, CANADA, 2018 
 

ABSTRACT (POSTER PRESENTATION) 

failed. Therefore, it’s recommended that additional study 

for determining a suitable method for attaching adaptor 

to socket are needed. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of 

Barber Prosthetic Clinic, Wiivv Wearables, and 

Yamagata University, who contributed their time and 

materials to make this project successful. 

 

REFERENCES 

1. Foort J. et.al. Experimental Fittings of Sockets for Below-

knee Amputees Using Computeraided Design and 

Manufacturing Techniques, Prosthetics & Orthotics 

International. 1985; 9:46-47. 

DOI:10.3109/03093648509164824 

2. Radcliffe D.F. Computer-Aided Rehabilitation Engineering-

CARE. Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology. 1986; 

10:1- 6.  

3.Stakosa, J.J. Prosthetics for lower limb amputees, Vascular 

Surgery: Principles and Techniques, Norwalk, CT, Appleton-

Century-Crofts. 1984;1143-1162. 

 

 

 

https://doi.org/10.3109/03093648509164824

