Case Study: University of Cambridge achieves rapid prototyping and low-cost 3D-printed prosthetics with Stratasys

Students Take Hold of Their Future Through Inspiration and Collaboration

The University of Cambridge's Cambridge University 3D Printing Society (CU3DSoc), founded in 2016 and made up of over 30 first- and second-year undergraduates, needed reliable access to additive manufacturing to teach members, undertake complex engineering projects, and build a national network—skills not formally taught in the engineering curriculum. With access to Stratasys 3D printers, the society set out to close that skills gap and apply hands-on prototyping to real-world problems.

Stratasys supplied the printing capability CU3DSoc used with 3D scanning and in-house design to produce fast, reliable components and low-cost prosthetics. Using Stratasys printers the team manufactured a replacement part for a REMAP archery turret in 24 hours versus weeks traditionally and developed 3D‑printed prosthetic hands costing £10–£20 each, while giving students practical additive-manufacturing experience and enabling broader collaborative projects.

University of Cambridge

James Roberts

CU3DSoc Director