The Ultimate 3D printing guide for OT Clinics + Our 5 favorite assistive 3D models for FREE

When we were designing one of our products... we spent a lot of time researching 3-D printed assistive tools on the Internet. These are our favorite five 3-D printed assistive devices we found! Below that, we also included our ultimate guide on how physical therapist & occupational therapists can use 3-D printing for free in their clinic!

Ring pull opener

Ring-pull openers work by providing a larger handle which clips onto the ring pull. This increases the leverage, making it easier to lift up the ring pull and roll back the lid for people who have no strength in hands or hands disabilities.

Playing card holder

A simple multi-level playing card holder to make playing easier for children, seniors, or those with motor disabilities.

The adaptive multi grip

Adaptive Utensil Mode

Use this configuration for help holding forks, spoons, and other dining tools.

Adaptive Writing Mode

Convert your grip into a pen or pencil holder. This mode is great for makeup and art utensils + brushes as well

Key turner

This device is designed to accommodate different key sizes.

The Key Turner is a 3D printed assistive device designed to support people with arthritis and other disabilities in holding and operating their keys.

Multi bottle opener

Make opening bottles of varying sizes simple again.

Ideal between 30mm and 65mm bottle top sizes.

Can opener

No more struggling with stubborn tabs.

Attach it to your keys, take it everywhere

How to use 3D printing in your clinic for FREE

First... understand when 3D printing is useful in OT & PT

Start by identifying patient needs that can benefit from custom adaptive equipment:

3D printing is perfect when a patient needs low-cost, custom, and fast adaptations.

Then, browse free OT-friendly 3D model libraries

You do NOT need to design anything from scratch. Thousands of ready-to-print adaptive tools already exist online for free.

Start with these: OT3D, Makers Making Change, and MakeGood, as well as popular repositories such as Printables, Thingiverse, and Thangs.

Find the model that fits your patient

Then Download the file (usually .STL).

Show your clients FREE printing services

Here’s the part most many OT’s don’t realize. You often don’t need to know how to use a printer or spend any money to use 3D printing for your patients

Public libraries - Many libraries now offer free or very cheap 3D printing.

Online services - Several non-profit organizations and specialized services 3D print customized assistive devices for free. These include MakeGood, Access3D, Makers Making Change, and TechOWL.

Send the file for printing

When contacting a print service, send them the .STL file you downloaded earlier and you should be set!