Watch this Adorable Duck Waddle and Swim with a 3D Printed Foot

3D Printing & Imaging
Watch this Adorable Duck Waddle and Swim with a 3D Printed Foot
Buttercup with Mike Garey
Buttercup with Mike Garey. (Photos and videos courtesy of Feathered Angels Waterfowl Sanctuary)

Buttercup might just be the cutest duck around. He has been in love, cared for a teddy bear, and is able to run and swim with the aid of his specialized 3D printed foot.

Buttercup was born with a twisted left foot that was not able to fully rotate forward. In order to give him the best quality of life possible, he was transferred to Feathered Angels Waterfowl Sanctuary. At Feathered Angels, the veterinarian Dr. Shannon McGee suggested that his foot be amputated to decrease his hobbling. One of his daily caregivers, Mike Garey, took up the challenge to make Buttercup fully mobile.

To help Buttercup, Garey came up with the idea to make a 3D printed prosthetic foot and came up with his first prototype in June of 2013. The initial test was a success, but Garey saw the need to adjustment for support and range of motion. To create the perfect foot for Buttercup, Garey spent well over 100 hours drafting the next prototype in CAD. The new design used Buttercup’s girlfriend’s foot as the base design, but was then modified to have a hinged ankle, support springs, and treads.

YouTube player

With Buttercup’s new mobility, Garey decided he would also need to create a specialized foot for swimming. Buttercup’s swim foot is also 3D printed and is a modification of his walking foot. The swim foot has a fixed straight ankle and vent flaps to let water flow through. To allow Buttercup to swim safely, Garey secures the swim foot to a liner with a pin before setting him into water.

YouTube player

To find more information about Buttercup’s television appearances and the great work of Feathered Angels you can visit their Facebook page for frequent updates.

15 thoughts on “Watch this Adorable Duck Waddle and Swim with a 3D Printed Foot

  1. AmeliaABrown says:

    Want Success.? Read this makezine’s article… Online Job Help

  2. StaciDVivanco says:

    All time hit the makezine Find Here

  3. Cheryl says:

    This is wonderful for Buttercup and I suspect future generations of humans also!

    1. amiliya says:

      °☯$☯°. I just agree… Ruby `s comment is astonishing, on thursday I got a brand new Volkswagen Golf GTI from having earned $6134 this month and-also, 10 grand this past munth . with-out a doubt this is the most financialy rewarding Ive had . I actually started six months/ago and pretty much straight away was earning more than $79.. per-hour . ..

      you can see more info this link………↷↷↷↷

      ➽➽http://www.RealDollers/IncomeNet~ToEarn.Com

      ☰☲☱☲☱☱☰☰☲☱☲☰☲☱☰☲☲☱☲☱☰☲☱

    2. DonnaJHo says:

      Your first choice makezine Find Here

  4. jamuj706 says:

    ……..^^*^*^*^*^i like me makezine…….

    ……………….. Find Get More </b

  5. wash23 says:

    trtrtry

  6. JoelDWalker says:

    you like makezine article… Online Job Help

  7. LillieRSpencer says:

    …………….i like me makezine…….

    ……………….. Find Get More </b

  8. LillieRSpencer says:

    …………….i like me makezine…….

    ……………….. Find Get More </b

  9. ThelmaJCarter says:

    Your first choice makezine Find Here

  10. RichardMLambert says:

    Your first choice makezine Find Here

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged
Elise Tarkman

Elise Tarkman is the Editorial Production Manager for Make: and Makezine. Her hodgepodge history includes work in the magazine industry, DeCA, moving, bus driving, and ballet.

View more articles by Elise Tarkman

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK