Background:

Our Challenger is a retired Army EOD Tech and was injured by an IED in 2012, sustaining a left above the elbow amputation, a right below the elbow amputation and a left hip disarticulation amputation.  His right prosthetic is a myoelectric and his left is body powered.  He had osseointegration surgery on his left arm 3-4 years ago.   His main hobby is woodworking and has a beautiful shop.  He currently has to use multiple off the shelf end adaptors (terminal devices) on his left prosthetic arm.  Each tool requires its own end adaptor, and he still has to use both arms.  

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Challenge:  

Modifications for a Festool Kapex chop saw. The saw has a safety that must be pressed by the user's thumb and a "trigger" that activates the saw. He is currently using hose clamps and plastic 'build-ups" to have these always compressed. He then uses a switch connected in line with the power cable to turn the saw on and off. This works but creates two issues. The "thumb safety" also activates the laser that helps ensure the saw blade is lined up with where the user intends to cut. This laser is powered by an internal battery and quickly dies with it being in a state of always “on” due to the Challengers "work around.” The second is a safety issue when power is applied. His work around for the saw makes it so the blade is always on (spinning) even when he’s positioning the material. The challenge would be to create a bolt or clamp-on mechanical device that the Challengercould easily activate with his prosthetic terminal device that would compress the safety and trigger. Here is a link to the model I currently own. https://www.festoolusa.com/products/sawing/sliding-compound-miter-saws/575306---ks-120-reb-usa

Can’t use the laser, it kills the battery after a day

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