GIVING MYSELF A LEG TO STAND ON
When building an EAST project, the goal is often to provide impact through service, technology, and creativity to members of the community. Students are taught to “fill the C.A.R.T” — Critical Thinking, Advance, Real, Teamwork. Arkhan Langinbelik has been actively doing this since the third grade, but this time it was for himself. Recently, we sat down with Arkhan, a fourth-year EAST student from Sonora Middle School in Springdale, who, at birth, experienced a complication with his right leg that resulted in amputation. Who knew that this life-changing decision made so long ago would inspire Arkhan’s present-day project: 3D Printing Prosthesis. A prosthesis is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part. This type of device is used to restore the normal function of a missing body part. Arkhan was more than happy to share his journey about printing his very own prosthetic leg.
WHO IS ARKHAN?
I am Arkhan Langinbelik, a seventh grader from Springdale Arkansas. I am the oldest of five kids: three younger sisters (one step-sister, two biological sisters) and one baby brother. I decided to join EAST because I wanted to create something of my own. I was born without the bones of my lower right leg properly attached; the lower bones of the leg were described as dangling, and no surgery would correct it. I heard about 3D printing from Mr. (Josh) Worthy, my elementary EAST Facilitator, and I have been trying to create a prosthetic leg for myself since that conversation.
WHY 3D PRINTING?
I am attracted to 3D printing because it allows you to design anything that you can imagine and 3D print it to make it a reality. I have a prosthetic leg, and as my actual 2
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leg is growing, I have to pay for a new prosthetic leg. I wanted to find an easier way to get a new prosthetic leg without having to pay for one almost every year. When I heard about 3D printing, I knew it was something that could help me figure out how to solve that problem. The prosthetic leg I am working on is also adjustable so that I will not have to 3D print an entirely new leg every year. I am making the design to where it uses a metal bar system in the lower section that can be taken out and replaced with a longer bar as I get taller. I will have to reprint the foot and the upper attachment to the rest of my leg at some point, but I will get more use out of this leg than the ones I get with insurance. I started on this project in 4th grade, and I’ve been working on it for 3 years now. I am close to being finished, and it will be complete before Conference.
HAS IT BEEN CHALLENGING FOR YOU TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT?
At times, yes! One challenge is getting the measurements right and getting it finished before they change again like measuring the length and the width on the top part — upper thigh that attaches to my leg. Another challenge is the weight of the printed leg in its entirety. We, Mr. Ratchford, my EAST Facilitator, and I, have tried so many types of filaments and designs in an effort to find a design that is comfortable and not too heavy. We have tried printing the leg using polylactide (PLA), a common filament in 3D printing, but it was not strong enough to survive an extended period of time. We have also tried Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) filament which is a stronger mate-
