3D printer helps para-diver go to new depths

Ehandicap World Records has recorded a new world record of a para-athlete diver for diving to the depth. The record was set by Dmitry Pavlenko, a Russian diver who had lost his arms and legs when he was very young. Dmitry lost his arms and legs in the army, due to a grenade explosion. The previous world record had been established in 2013 by Philippe Croizon, who had gone a depth of 33-meters in a deep-water basin. Dmitry had reached a depth of 40 meters in the Red Sea (Hurghada, Egypt).

For the record dive, Dmitry Pavlenko used equipment that was created and printed on a 3D printer tailored to the physical capabilities of the diver. A common issue is that divers use the so-called buoyancy system lever for diving and exiting the water. One can operate such levers by moving the fingers. No company in the world produces special levers for people with amputated hands.

The problem was solved by young scientists and experienced engineers from the leading Russian organizations working with additive technologies. The group consisted of people from the Moscow Polytechnic University and a company called Anisoprint. The company Anisoprint is a start-up that has developed its own technology and equipment for 3D-printing from composite materials. They designed and printed severals levers for Dmitry to choose from, he then proceeded to select the his best option and set a world record with it. 3D-Printing of Functional Carbon-Reinforced Parts:

Unique Material: Continuous reinforcing fiber contains thousands of thin carbon filaments bonded together with a special polymer compound. 20 Times Stronger than Simple Plastic: Continuous fibers into plastic makes it 15-20 times stronger and stiffer, even stronger than aerospace aluminum. Patented Technology: The composite filament co-extrusion technology allows to print composite parts using many different structural polymers. “I am very happy to announce that the eHandicap World Records Experts Committee has approved Mr. Pavlenko’s record. The decision was taken unanimously. On behalf of the entire eHandicap World Records team, I warmly congratulate him and all the people around him for preparing the challenge and helping him succeed”, - congratulated Dmitry and his team the head of the eHWR expert group Alian Amar.

Dmitry gave his project for record setting a name, “Challenging the depth”. The aim of the project is to demonstrate that a disability is not necessarily an obstacle on the way to achieving greater goals and even setting world records.

Videos of the dive are available for viewing, the following is the video of the practice dive and a video of the record dive. If you would like to learn more information on the Anisoprint technology, visit their website at www.anisoprint.com.