Case Study: ToughWare Prosthetics achieves 10x cost reduction and consistent delivery schedules with ExOne

Gain 10x Reduction in Cost and Consistent Delivery Schedules

ToughWare Prosthetics, a maker of prosthetic hand components (Terminal End), needed to compete with investment casting and conventional machining on cost, lead time and the ability to produce complex geometries. They engaged ExOne to evaluate its 3D metal printing technology—producing stainless steel/bronze matrix parts—as a potential alternative to casting and machining.

ExOne’s metal 3D printing process produced Terminal End parts in batches of 8–40, cutting lead times from 2–8 weeks to 2–3 weeks and reducing per-part costs from $250–$1,500 to $25–$150 (about a 10× cost reduction), while enabling configurations not possible with traditional methods. The result for ToughWare Prosthetics was faster production, consistent delivery schedules and significant cost savings using ExOne’s technology.

ToughWare Prosthetics