An artist who is based in Malta is providing children in need of a hand with a 3D printed prosthetic limb.

Jonathan Shaller, who works in the video games and action figure industry, has joined a like-minded global network who use their 3D printers to create free hands and arms for those in need of an assistive device.

His compact ‘factory’ is made up of eight printers that fit in a corner in his apartment. The small machines are on the go throughout the day, as Mr Shaller’s livelihood relies on 3D printing.

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At the moment most of his time is taken up by dispatching his own product – a colourful and quirky stylus holder for other artists, while he also freelances for the action figure industry. His job is to transform 2D figures into 3D miniatures that have made it all over the globe. In his free time, he collaborates with a charity called E-nable, which 3D prints prosthetic limbs for children and adults. 

Customises the limbs depending on the user’s size and tastes

Most recently, a teacher from the St Francis School District Robotics in Wisconsin got in touch with Mr Shaller asking him to decorate some prosthetic limbs. The school sent the finished product to children around the globe.

Mr Shaller is now turning to the 3D community in Malta, asking them to chip in and join the E-nable network to help improve open source 3D printable designs for hands and arms.

Mr Shaller is currently working on a prosthetic limb adorned with the Maltese eight-pointed cross.

He customises the limbs depending on the user’s size and tastes and is currently working on one adorned with the Maltese eight-pointed cross.

He noted that the material expense for the limbs was minimal, while most of his energy would be focused on the decoration. Meanwhile, the 3D printing process takes around 14 hours in all.

Mr Shaller is offering his expertise and time voluntarily to children and adults and is currently working on what is known as the Raptor Reloaded’s Palm – the most commonly-used prosthetic limb.

Those who are in need of a hand, or would like to lend a helping one, can get in touch with Mr Shaller on the Facebook page called E-Nable Malta.

Mr Shaller works in the video games and action figure industry.