Sculpteo Redesigns Lumbar Support Belt to Enhance Environment Awareness for the Blind

Sculpteo is partnering with Artha France to develop and 3D print lumbar belts that include a camera linked in real time to belt-mounted actuators, enabling people with visual impairments to perceive their environment. Artha France is a startup offering new autonomy to the visually impaired and blind by offering a tactile technology that reproduces the perception of the environment.

By redesigning the hinges from a multipart design to a single piece printed in one go with Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) Ultrasint TPU 01, Sculpteo has enabled Artha France to improve user comfort, durability and design, as well as considerably reduce production time.

The companies say this metamorphosis is a testament to their shared commitment to improve existing solutions, placing innovation at the service of inclusion.

Belt Capable of Expressing Sight Through Sensory Experience

Founded in 2018 in the Paris area, Artha France says it is developing a revolutionary device that enables its users to feel the topography of the environment through touch. Consisting of a camera attached to an eyeglass temple which is linked to a lumbar belt, the device enables the visually impaired to use a computer, offering extended possibilities.Artha France’s aim is to unleash the potential of the visually impaired by offering them a unique sensory experience and facilitating their active participation in a variety of activities.

New Flexible Material for Lumbar Belts Suitable for Every User

Because of Sculpteo’s expertise in 3D printing, Artha France was able to transcend the initial design limitations of its lumbar belt. Sculpteo redesigned the hinges, moving from a multipart design to a single piece, printed in one go with the MJF Ultrasint TPU 01. The choice of this flexible material has considerably improved user comfort, while simplifying the production process. Sculpteo’s efficiency, combined with the high quality of 3D printing, enabled Artha France to speed up the development of its device. It demonstrates the benefits of 3D printing in the production of complex challenges of innovative device designs. The collaboration between Artha France and Sculpteo has brought significant advances in the field of assistance for the visually impaired.

“Sculpteo’s expertise in 3D printing, combined with their commitment to understand our specific needs, helped turn our vision into a reality,” says Rémi du Chalard, Artha France CEO. “Sculpteo played an essential role in the improvement of our design, reinforcing our commitment to the autonomy of the visually impaired. Their dedicated team made our project a success story, and we are grateful for the positive impact their collaboration has had on our mission.”

Sculpteo offers an online 3D printing service with an online platform to securely upload 3D files and select from 75-plus materials and finishing options. “Working with Artha France to rethink and improve their device for the visually impaired has been a thrilling adventure,” says Alexandre d’Orsetti, Sculpteo CEO. “The magic of 3D printing lies in its ability to transform ideas into concrete objects, and this collaboration is a perfect example of this.”

Based in Paris and San Francisco, Sculpteo offers on-demand 3D printing and manufacturing at a large scale for startups, SMEs and design studios. Sculpteo offers its professional 3D printing service alongside its expert Design Studio to help businesses integrate additive manufacturing into their product development and production systems.

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• Learn more about Sculpteo with its RE-cycleo 3D printed part recycling program. The program offers recycling services to Sculpteo clients not only for the clients’ obsolete parts but also for production scrap.