From Concept to Gold: Peke Waihanga Limb at Paralympics

Peke Waihanga Dunedin Team’s collaboration with Paralympian Anna Grimaldi resulted in a gold medal winning performance in Paris.

Dunedin technicians Rebecca Jones and Steven Trotter and Product Engineer Finaly Shellard worked with Anna to develop a 3D printed custom running arm for this year’s Paralympics. Anna’s prosthetist is Mark McDowell.

Anna won New Zealand’s only gold by winning the Women’s 200m T47 and she also won a bronze medal in the Women’s 100m T47.

Rebecca and Finlay worked on the design and remodelling together with Rebecca collaborating with Anna to test and remodel the arm. Finlay focused on the engineering aspects, designing the distal end of the device (the wrist end). Rebecca remodelled the arm, incorporating a complex BOA system that allowed for a secure fit. Finlay conducted extensive weight analysis on the design, optimising it to reduce weight while maintaining balance.

“For the end piece, we incorporated a system that allowed us to add weight gradually, based on Anna’s preference for balance. Ultimately, we added a significant amount of weight using a brass cylinder, which was made by Steven,” Finlay says.

Rebecca says Anna really likes her 3D running arm reporting it was “super comfy” and she was “really happy with it” although she is now planning further improvements.

Anna was born with a withered right forearm and no functional right hand and first became involved in Para athletics after attending a Paralympics New Zealand Talent Identification camp in Dunedin in late 2013. Over three Paralympics she has now won a total of three golds and one bronze in sprint and long jump.