There may be an alternative for bulky, itchy casts. A student from the University of Victoria, Wellington (Australia) has developed 3-D printed nylon arm cast that provides for better movement. Developed on 3-D printers, the cast is lightweight and waterproof---although it may not be optimal for signatures penned in Sharpie. "With the increase in concern for the environment and just being able to help people who are suffering with a fracture have a comfortable healing process, I do hope it is put to use and goes into production," Jack Evill, the student who developed the cast, told GigaOM.
Evill used Shapeways, a company that 3-D prints custom goods, for the final product. Instead of liquified plastic, Shapeways printed the cast with a powder and then sealed each layer together with a laser, which created a solidifed object. Article