Designing for Accessibility: A Collaboration that Pushes the Boundaries of Assistive Technologies

A medical technology company and a 3D printing provider partner up to empower individuals with severe disabilities to interact with their environment and communicate effectively, tailored to their specific needs.

Sharon Spielman

Jan. 9, 2025

When JIB, a company focused on bridging the gaps between technology and disabilities, needed a tablet case for its eye-tracking device, they enlisted the help of Sculpteo, a 3D printing service provider. Machine Design spoke with JIB’s co-founder Thomas Groell and Sculpteo’s CEO Alexandre D’Orsetti about the collaboration.

In this first part of a two-part series, we learn that Sculpteo began with the aim of democratizing industrial additive manufacturing via an online platform, which subsequently expanded to focus on several verticals, including medical applications. And with a mission to adapt mainstream technology for individuals who require specialized solutions, JIB has navigated the complexity of environmental control and communication for those with physical limitations. The partnership—much like its end-product—is a perfect fit.

Watch additional parts of this interview series with Thomas Groell and Alexandre D’Orsetti:

Part 2: Using 3D Printing to Adapt Accessibility Tools to Users

About the Author

Sharon Spielman

Technical Editor, Machine Design

As Machine Design’s technical editor, Sharon Spielman produces content for the brand’s focus audience—design and multidisciplinary engineers. Her beat includes 3D printing/CAD; mechanical and motion systems, with an emphasis on pneumatics and linear motion; automation; robotics; and CNC machining.

Spielman has more than three decades of experience as a writer and editor for a range of B2B brands, including those that cover machine design; electrical design and manufacturing; interconnection technology; food and beverage manufacturing; process heating and cooling; finishing; and package converting.

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