Systematic Review of Anthropomorphic 3D Printed Bionic Hands

Abstract:

Recent developments in 3D-printed prosthetic and bionic hands are reviewed in this study with an emphasis on anthropomorphic design that attempts to mimic the structure, dexterity and mobility of a human hand. Because people with limb loss face obstacles that affect their everyday functioning and confidence, the development of accessible, functional and aesthetically pleasing bionic hands is an important goal in biomedical research. Researchers have found that Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) blended composites are the most popular materials in a number of studies. As PLA has mechanical limits despite being a biodegradable material derived from renewable resources, it is frequently mixed with TPU for more flexibility and adaptability while maintaining comfort and light weight. Additionally, the experimental results in this review hint that tiny servos may produce enough mechanical output for gripping operations without overheating or using too much energy. The resulting performance, strength and durability of bionic hands are strongly affected by the material choice and design customization, which also opens the door for further improvements in this area.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 1058)
• Pages: 127-141
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-Oz1Ok0
• Online since: June 2026
• Authors: Urja Kohli*, Shagata Chanda, Kritika Gandhi, Charu Nigam, Aditi Surya Kamal, Pooja Bhati
• Keywords: 3D-Printing, Anthropomorphic Design, Assistive Technology, Biomedical Engineering, Bionic Hand, Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polymer Composite, Prosthetic Hand, Servo Actuation, Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)

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