---
title: "HP & Limb Kind Foundation improve access to prosthetics with 3D printing"
url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/hp-limb-kind-foundation-improve-access-to-prosthetics-with-3d-printing/
date: 2025-11-06
modified: 2025-11-06
lang: en
author: "Tess Boissonneault"
description: "Each year, the Formnext Awards celebrate some of the most innovative, creative and impactful 3D printing projects in areas like education, startups, sustainability and design. Among this year's finalists—nominated in..."
categories:
  - "Formnext"
  - "Medical AM"
  - "Prosthetics"
tags:
  - "insights"
image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Limb-Kind-Exponat-2-e1762442264530-640x417.jpeg
word_count: 475
---

# HP & Limb Kind Foundation improve access to prosthetics with 3D printing

Each year, the Formnext Awards celebrate some of the most innovative, creative and impactful 3D printing projects in areas like education, startups, sustainability and design. Among [this year's finalists](https://www.voxelmatters.com/finalists-formext-awards-2025/)—nominated in the Design Category—is the Limb Kind Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides custom prosthetic devices for children around the world affected by limb loss.

While the organization has traditionally relied on expert teams traveling to underserved regions to make custom prosthetics using traditional methods, it recently partnered with [HP](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/hp-inc/) to explore how digital workflows and Multi Jet Fusion technology can transform how custom prosthetics are made and increase access. In a pilot project based in Kenya, the partners 3D printed a series of five custom prosthetic sockets with a high degree of success.

In this pilot project, the digital workflow was initiated by 3D scanning the children's limbs using a smartphone. From there, the scan data was shared with a team from Macy O&P, a specialist in orthotics and prosthetics, who created custom digital molds in CAD software. From there, the designs were shared with Boston-based ABCorp, a partner in HP's manufacturing network, where they were printed and post-processed. The result was a series of five prosthetic sockets that were not only customized to the wearer but also lightweight and strong. The prosthetic sockets were then delivered by a member of The Limb Kind Foundation to the children in Kenya and fitted with the prosthetic.

[![HP The Limb Kind Foundation pilot project 3D printed prosthetic sockets](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Limb-Kind-Exponat-4-e1762442309614.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Limb-Kind-Exponat-4.jpeg)

As The Limb Kind Foundation said: "These sockets, fabricated abroad and transported to Kenya, were assembled by our prosthetists and fitted to children free of charge. This innovative approach not only restored mobility and independence to children but also demonstrated how advanced technology can open new doors for sustainable, accessible prosthetic care in underserved communities."

Notably, the digital production workflow resulted in a turnaround time of just 36 hours for the custom sockets—reportedly a third of the time it can take using traditional methods. The time saved by integrating digital design and production methods could enable the production of more custom prosthetic sockets, which could help even more children suffering from limb loss regain mobility. Although this isn't a stated goal in the project, it does seem conceivable that delivery times could potentially be shortened further by leveraging more localized AM production.

Relevantly, HP recently played a role in [qualifying 3D printing as a reimbursable fabrication method](https://www.voxelmatters.com/3d-printed-prosthetics-gain-u-s-reimbursement-status-following-hp-backed-initiative/) for prosthetic devices in the United States. This built on a 2024 decision to approve 3D printing for orthotic device reimbursement. It goes without saying that this regulatory development marks a huge step in the legitimization of AM across orthotics and prosthetics.

Formnext 2025 attendees can learn more about the partnership between HP and The Limb Kind Foundation at the Formnext Awards Special Showcase in Frankfurt (Hall 11.0, Booth D82). The winners will be announced on November 20, 2025 at a dedicated ceremony.