TMT Intro
TMT Intro
toddler Mobility Trainer
Introducing a first-of-its-kind 3D-printed mobility device for toddlers developed in collaboration with Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) and MakeGood. It is the next-gen evolution of TOM’s flagship Toddler Mobility Trainer, which has already brought mobility and independence to thousands of children around the world.
Our team at LINK has donated over 250 hours to help bring this product to life.
Photos courtesy of TOM and Makegood.
TMT History
TMT History
DESIGN HISTORY |
The original toddler mobility trainer was developed at TOM as an affordable and easily manufactured mobility trainer suitable for younger ages in indoor environments. The project was developed with the help of Go Baby Go Israel, Shenkar College students, TOM Israel Summer 2022 Interns, and the TOM Global R&D Team.
Many toddlers and young children with disabilities lack the physical strength or coordination needed to crawl or walk independently-- even though they may be ready to explore and engage with their environment. Wheelchair options for this age group are rarely available, affordable, or covered by most insurance providers. Without access to size-appropriate mobility devices, children are forced to wait until they are older to move independently- delaying development, exploration, and inclusion at a critical stage.
TMT DEV
TMT DEV
DEVELOPMENT |
Our team volunteered to take on the challenge presented by MakeGood to transform the existing TMT design into a product that could be printed on a consumer level FDM 3D Printer. This would allow for more ways for individuals and organizations to build Toddler Mobility Trainers.
Utilizing the ergonomic hardpoints of the existing TMT we iterated on various design directions to evolve both the form and construction of the trainer. We wanted to increase the approachable feel of the design while maintaining the functional elements that make it an effective mobility trainer.
The biggest challenge was to split the design into sections that could be printed on a standard 3D Printer to later be assembled without reducing the structural integrity.
We were able to get the entire assembly aside from the seat and straps onto less than twenty build plates. Each split line between parts was carefully selected as to minimize the number of joints needed while placing them in areas along the frame that would not decrease overall strength.
Our goal was to eliminate the need for any fasteners or glue for the assembly of the frame in order to reduce complexity, part count, and potential for improper assembly. This resulted in the exploration of traditional woodworking joints that have been used for thousands of years before modern adhesives and hardware were created. We also wanted to minimize the types of joints used to keep the assembly process simple for users. We focused on two primary joints throughout the design:
Scarf Joint
Scarf joints are long, tapered splices used to join two pieces of wood end-to-end. They have been employed since antiquity, especially in shipbuilding, timber framing, and bridge construction where long spans of timber were needed. Early examples appear in Egyptian and Roman engineering, often reinforced with wooden pegs, iron straps, or wedges. Their strength and ability to distribute stress made them appealing for this application. This joint was also identified as one of the strongest 3D printed woodworking joint by Mike at NeedItMakeIt in his video series here.
Sliding Dovetail Joint
Dovetail joints are interlocking, wedge-shaped carpentry joints. They originated in ancient Egypt and China, with examples dating back over 3,000 years in wooden furniture and burial chests. Their self-locking design, which resists pulling apart, made them ideal for drawers, boxes, and cabinetry long before modern adhesives. These joints were identified as extremely simple and intuitive ways to make basic sliding connections on the trainer assembly.
The design features fourteen under squinted stop splayed scarf joints and twenty two sliding dovetail joints. These two joint styles provide intuitive assembly while also allowing users to easily disassemble the chair to swap parts that may break. This somewhat modular approach also allows for users to swap out parts to adjust the device as the child grows.
We also took on the challenge of printing the large wheel for the assembly. Wheels can be purchased from various suppliers but finding a singular, inexpensive, global source was not possible. We narrowed in on standard hardware available around the world and designed the wheel to be printable in around 20 different parts including the rim, tire, pins, bearings, nut and bolt. This allows small hardware to be shipped worldwide and large parts fabricated where they are needed.
The team at Makegood led development on seating, straps, harnesses, and tire grips to ensure comfort and security for kids using the device.
Multiple rounds of prototypes were created by all teams involved to refine printing parameters, material selection, and overall functionality of the trainer. TOM was able to access their network of experts to provide valuable feedback on the design that led to many modifications prior to each stage of testing.
TMT V3
TMT V3
By diversifying the methods in which people can fabricate a TMT we have increased the ability for it to meet the need of many children around the world. Both designs offer benefits depending on the end users location and the resources they have available. The files for the original TMT are posted here.
The 3D Printed TMT is still in development and the plan is to publish in 2025. The files will be free and publicly accessible.
Communities across the globe with the right tools can fabricate these trainers for those who need them. The two organizations we worked with in developing this product have ways for people to get involved and find out more:
TOM - Tikkun Olam Makers - is a global movement of communities that creates and disseminates affordable solutions to neglected challenges of people living with disabilities, the elderly and the poor.
The TOM Movement is made up of local TOM Communities and LINK PBC is proud to be the US mountain west central hub of this network.
TMT 3D TOM Team: Michelle Levy, Amber Zedeck, and Hannah Landau
MakeGood is an innovative non-profit that creates custom assistive devices. They support individuals with special needs, disabilities, and chronic conditions—empowering them through adaptive solutions. They have been building and gifting TMT’s to families that need them in the United States.
Noam, the founder of MakeGood, was the catalyst in instigating the push for a 3D printed TMT as he knew it would enable his team to fabricate these devices more efficiently to meet the ever growing list of children and families in need of them.
TMT 3D MakeGood Team: Noam Platt, Philip Dunham
