Just when we thought we had seen all the magical things that 3D printing can do, here comes another—a working artificial leg has transformed the life of a little Canadian duckling(小鸭) called Dudley, who had been struggling to get by after losing a leg.
The story began on August 19th, 2013, when the newly-born healthy Dudley and his brother were placed inside a chicken coop(笼子) at the K9-1-1 Animal and Rescue Services in Sicamous, British Columbia. Within a few hours, an aggressive chicken attacked the two, killing Dudley's brother and leaving him with a disability!
While Dudley could swim with his single leg, he had a hard time walking on the firm ground. Determined to help him, Doug Nelson, the owner of the shelter decided to consult Terence Loring, the founder of a design firm that among other things also offers 3D printing designs.
Given that he had just launched 3 pillar designs, Terence somewhat hesitated to take on a duckling as his first client(客户). But as soon as he saw brave little Dudley walking around on one leg, Terence knew he had to do something. Using his biomedical engineering training, Terence spent the next few weeks creating a 3D template(模板), after he found out how ducks' legs work in YouTube videos about ducks. Once ready, he sent them to Ontario-based 3D engineering firm Proto3000, who agreed to print the leg.
The second artificial leg was much stronger than the first one. When the artificial leg that is printed from strong ABS, a thermoplastic(热塑性塑料) that becomes soft and moldable when heated and attached to a foot designed from soft and flexible robber-like plastic, was fitted to Dudley, his whole manner changed. He wagged his tail and showed it off to his best friend一a pig called Elsie.
Of course, as Dudley has been growing, the leg and foot have had to be replaced. But that hasn't bothered Terence who continues to improve the design. The best part is that Terence has put all the designs on his website so that anyone wishing to help out an animal suffering from a similar injury can do so, by simply hitting the print button on his/her 3D printer!
1．How did Dudley lose his leg?
A．He wasn't well looked after.
B．He lost it in a traffic accident.
C．He lost it in a chicken attack.
D．He was born with a disability.
2．What do we know about Terence Loring's design firm?
A．It is the first one to offer 3D printing designs.
B．3D printing designs are only part of its services.
C．Its main clients are injured animals.
D．It often cooperates with Proto3000.
3．What did Terence first do to make an artificial leg for Dudley?
A．Consulting Dudley's owner about the solution.
B．Creating a 3D template with the help of Proto3000.
C．Being trained in biomedical engineering.
D．Watching YouTube videos about ducks.
4．To Terence's great satisfaction, ________.
A．Dudley has got a permanent artificial leg
B．a possible solution has been found to help suffering animals
C．he succeeded in his first attempt to make Dudley an artificial leg
D．his design has become widely known online
