3D-printed Molds Research Articles

Investigation on the mechanical and environmental behaviour of 3D-printed molds for manufacturing of CFRP components

Investigation on the mechanical and environmental behaviour of 3D-printed molds for manufacturing of CFRP components

Effects of Finishing on Surface Roughness of Four Different Glass-Ionomer Cements and One Alkasite: In Vitro Investigation over Time Using Aging Simulation

In 2017, Europe implemented a ban on amalgam restorations for children aged <15 years and for pregnant/breastfeeding women, highlighting the need for alternative filling materials exhibiting less surface roughness and enhanced longevity. This in vitro study aimed to examine the surface roughness variations of five amalgam-replacement materials across three time points and using six finishing methods: (1) no finishing (control), (2) Arkansas burs, (3) diamond burs, (4) tungsten carbide burs, (5) SofLex discs in descending grit size, and (6) coarse SofLex discs combined with silicone polishing. We prepared 960 samples. Each material group, i.e., Cention Forte (CNF), DeltaFil (DLF), Ketac Universal (KTU), IonoStar Molar (ISM), and Equia Forte HT (EQF), comprised 60 samples (n = 10 per finishing method) created using standardized 3D-printed metal molds. Surface roughness (Sa) was measured immediately after finishing, after 30 days of storage in distilled water, and after thermocycling (5000 cycles) using a non-contact profilometer. The results indicate that conventional and hybrid glass-ionomer cements have smoother surfaces than high-viscosity GICs. The DLF and CNF groups exhibited stable outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of selecting appropriate finishing methods based on the restorative material to minimize surface roughness.

PHSOR09 Presentation Time: 9:40 AM: Patient-Specific Plesiotherapy Using Flexible Silicone High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy Applicator Casting and 3D-Printed Molds

PHSOR09 Presentation Time: 9:40 AM: Patient-Specific Plesiotherapy Using Flexible Silicone High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy Applicator Casting and 3D-Printed Molds

Development and optimization of hydrogel-forming microneedles fabricated with 3d-printed molds for enhanced dermal diclofenac sodium delivery: a comprehensive in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo study.

With the developing manufacturing technologies, the use of 3D printers in microneedle production is becoming widespread. Hydrogel-forming microneedles (HFMs), a variant of microneedles, demonstrate distinctive features such as a high loading capacity and controlled drug release. In this study, the conical microneedle master molds with approximately 500μm needle height and 250μm base diameter were created using a Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer and were utilized to fabricate composite HFMs containing diclofenac sodium. Using Box-Behnken Design, the effects of different polymers on swelling index and mechanical strength of the developed HFMs were evaluated. The optimum HFMs were selected according to experimental design results with the aim of the highest mechanical strength with varying swelling indexes, which was needed to use 20% Gantrez S97 and 0.1% (F22), 0.42% (F23), and 1% (F24) hyaluronic acid. The skin penetration and drug release properties of the optimum formulations were assessed. Ex vivo studies were conducted on formulations to determine drug penetration and accumulation. F24, which has the highest mechanical strength and optimized swelling index, achieved the highest drug accumulation in the skin tissue (17.70 ± 3.66%). All optimum HFMs were found to be non-cytotoxic by the MTT cell viability test (> 70% cell viability). In in vivo studies, the efficacy of the F24 was assessed for the treatment of xylene-induced ear edema by contrasting it to the conventional dosage form. It was revealed that HFMs might be an improved replacement for conventional dosage forms in terms of dermal diseases such as actinic keratosis.

The Influence of Polymer Impregnating Materials on Structural Strengthening of 3D Printed Sand Molds Produced by Binder Jetting Method.

Additive manufacturing offers great potential for various industrial solutions; in particular, the binder jetting method enables the production of components from various materials, including sand molds for casting. This work presents the results of an extensive set of experiments aimed at enhancing the structural strengthening of 3D-printed sand molds. Structural strengthening was achieved by impregnating the sand-printed structures with two polymer materials: epoxy resin and silicone varnish. Impregnation was performed with variable parameters, such as temperature, pressure, and time. Structural strengthening using polymers was investigated by analyzing the flexural strength and impact resistance of the impregnated products and comparing these obtained values with the reference material in terms of impregnation parameters and the polymer used. Microstructural observations and an analysis of the pore filling were also performed. This approach allowed for a full assessment of the influence of processing parameters and the type of polymer used for impregnation on the properties of sand-printed structures, which allowed for identifying the most optimal method to be used to strengthen the sand molds for casting the components for electrical devices. As a direct proof of concept, it was shown that impregnation with polymeric materials could effectively strengthen the sand mold, increasing its flexural strength and impact resistance by over 20 times and 5 times, respectively. A full-scale mold was printed using binder jetting, impregnated with epoxy resin at 65 °C, and used to successfully fabricate a fully functional electrification device.

Magnetic-field-controllable elasticity of helical spring magnets composed of magnetic-particle-polymer composites

Abstract We experimentally demonstrated the ability to control the spring constant of helical mechanical springs using a magnetic field. These springs were composed of magnetic nanoparticles embedded within an elastic polymer matrix. The composite material, in its gel form, was injected into a 3D-printed mold featuring a helical-spring-shaped cavity. An external magnetic field applied perpendicular to the coil axis of the spring allows the aligmment of the magnetic nanoparticle assemblies (chain axis) in the field direction. This alignment process determines the preferred magnetization orientation of the particle assembly chain, thereby balancing the magnetic force between the magnetic anisotropy field and the Zeeman field under a given external field. When the spring is subjected to compression or stretching loads under an externally applied magnetic field, these two magnetic fields modify the effective spring constant of the magnetic helical spring by ~ 31 %, incresing it from 8.7 N/m (under no field) to 11.5 N/m at 300 mT. Analytical modeling using a simplified rod geometry aptly explains the experimental results, demonstrating that the spring constant linearly increases with the field strength up to 300 mT. Such composite magnetic helical springs could be utilized as active vibration absorbers or isolators due to their field-controllable elasticity.

Soft Magnetoelastic Tactile Multi-Sensors with Energy-Absorbing Properties for Self-Powered Human-Machine Interfaces.

Tactile sensors play a key role in human-machine interfaces (HMIs) for augmented and virtual reality, point-of-care devices, and human-robot collaboration, which show the promise of revolutionizing our ways of life. Here, we present a sensor (EMTS) that utilizes the magnetoelastic effect in a soft metamaterial to convert mechanical pressure into electrical signals. With this unique mechanism, the proposed EMTS simultaneously possesses self-powering, waterproof, and compliant features. The soft metamaterial is essentially a porous magnetoelastomer structure designed based on the Fourier series expansion, which allows for programmable mechanical response and sensing performance of the EMTS. Fabricated by simple 3D-printed molds, the EMTS also holds potential for low-cost production. Particularly, the porous magnetoelastomer structure comes with selectable buckling instabilities that can significantly enhance biomechanical-to-electrical energy conversion. Also, with the embedded magnetic microparticles, the energy-absorbing performance of the sensor is greatly improved, which is highly beneficial to HMIs. To pursue practical applications, the EMTSs are further integrated with two systems as control and perception modules. It is demonstrated that the EMTS is able to identify different hand gestures to control a lighting system even in a high-humidity environment. Also, the EMTS stands out for its superior capability of simultaneous impact perception and energy absorption in drop tests. Overall, with its compelling array of features, the presented EMTS gives impetus to multi-sensing technology and practically enables a variety of HMI applications.

1743: First clinical experiences: 3D-printed moulds for pediatric brachytherapy

1743: First clinical experiences: 3D-printed moulds for pediatric brachytherapy

Experimental and numerical study on the performance index of mixing for low aspect ratio serpentine microchannels

In this work, the effect of a range of Dean numbers (De) varying from 0.01–70 on low aspect ratio (AR = 0.05–0.2) serpentine microfluidic devices was studied experimentally and numerically. It was observed that the AR, the number of circular bumps, and the angular positions of bumps transverse to the flow have a significant influence on the pressure drop and flow features (i.e., the position and shape of flow separation zones). Mixing was exclusively driven by diffusive mechanisms at low De values and at high De values, it was primarily induced by Dean vortices. The lowest mixing index (MI) was observed for De = 1 in all channel types, highlighting the transition region between the diffusion and Dean vortices-dominant mixing regimes. The MI was generally increased by increasing the AR of the channels. However, at high De, Dean vortices became strong enough to induce rapid mixing that was largely independent of the AR and bump placement. A dimensional performance index (PI) was defined as a function of the MI and the pressure drop per unit length. Distinct flow patterns arising from various positioning of bumps resulted in significant variations in the MI and PI values, with different dependencies on De. This underscored the importance of bump positioning based on the operational De range to optimize the mixing performance. Despite minor deviations between the designed and fabricated channels, the use of 3D-printed molds proved effective even at scales close to the resolution of the printer, resulting in mixing patterns consistent with the designed channels. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing serpentine microchannels for efficient mixing while considering the trade-offs between enhanced mixing and increased pressure drop.

Comprehensive clinical implementation, workflow, and FMEA of bespoke silicone bolus cast from 3D printed molds using open-source resources.

Bolus materials have been used for decades in radiotherapy. Most frequently, these materials are utilized to bring dose closer to the skin surface to cover superficial targets optimally. While cavity filling, such as nasal cavities, is desirable, traditional commercial bolus is lacking, requiring other solutions. Recently, investigators have worked on utilizing 3D printing technology, including commercially available solutions, which can overcome some challenges with traditional bolus. To utilize failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) to successfully implement a comprehensive 3D printed bolus solution to replace commercial bolus in our clinic using a series of open-source (or free) software products. 3D printed molds for bespoke bolus were created by exporting the DICOM structures of the bolus designed in the treatment planning system and manipulated to create a multipart mold for 3D printing. A silicone (Ecoflex 00-30) mixture is poured into the mold and cured to form the bolus. Molds for sheet bolus of five thicknesses were also created. A comprehensive FMEA was performed to guide workflow adjustments and QA steps. The process map identified 39 and 30 distinct steps for the bespoke and flat sheet bolus workflows, respectively. The corresponding FMEA highlighted 119 and 86 failure modes, with 69 shared between the processes. Misunderstanding of plan intent was a potential cause for most of the highest-scoring failure modes, indicating that physics and dosimetry involvement early in the process is paramount. FMEA informed the design and implementation of QA steps to guarantee a safe and high-quality comprehensive implementation of silicone bolus from 3D printed molds. This approach allows for greater adaptability not afforded by traditional bolus, as well as potential dissemination to other clinics due to the open-source nature of the workflow.

Novel Lightweight Hydraulic Integration Methodology for Robotic Applications

Hydraulic integration is one of the novel technologies in the field of robotics and assistive devices. Researchers have applied recent technologies starting from non-conventional machining methodologies and ending with additive manufacturing of metals. However, those methodologies have several drawbacks related to the cost, time, and robot weight. This motivates the research of new methodologies toward developing compact, cost-effective, and lightweight hydraulic integrated robotics mechanisms. This paper presents a novel methodology for fabricating hydraulically integrated parts by using lightweight and high-strength materials. The proposed materials, fabrication steps and the obtained results are thoroughly discussed. Silicon pipes are used for building the network of internal passages. This network is built inside a 3D-printed mould which is designed accordingly. A theoretical study is conducted for the newly manufactured hydraulic parts to define the design parameters and the working pressure at which the manufactured parts can withstand in addition to stresses and deformations analysis. The theoretical results are validated using finite element modelling (FEM) and experimental testing. The simulation results were consistent with the FEM results and the experimental results by 95% and 90% respectively. The proposed methodology is cheap and simple to implement in fabrication. Hence, this methodology can be used to fabricate hydraulic integrated components in hydraulically actuated humanoid robots successfully.

Investigating into casting LMPA (low-melting-point alloy) with 3D-printed mould and inspecting quality using 3D scanning

PurposeThree-dimensional (3D) casting means using additive manufacturing (AM) techniques to print the mould for casting the cast tool. The printed mould, however, should be checked for its dimensional accuracy. 3D scanning can be used for the same. The purpose of this study is to combine the different AM techniques for 3D casting with 3D scanning to produce parts with close tolerance for preparing electrical discharge machining (EDM) electrodes.Design/methodology/approachThe four processes, namely, stereolithography, selective laser sintering, fused deposition modelling and vacuum casting, are used to print the casting mould. The mould is designed in two halves, assembled to form a complete mould. The mould is 3D scanned in two stages: before and after using it as a casting mould. The mould's average and maximum dimensional deviations are calculated using 3D-scanned results. The eutectic Sn-Bi alloy is cast in the mould. The surface roughness of the mould and the cast tool are measured.FindingsThe cast tool is selected from the four processes in terms of dimensional accuracy and surface finish. The same is electroplated with copper. The microstructure of the cast tool (low-melting-point alloy) and deposited copper is analysed using a scanning electron microscope. Energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques are used to verify the composition of the cast and coated alloy. The electroplated tool is finally tested on the EDM setup. The material removal rate and tool wear are measured. The performance is compared with a solid copper tool. The free-form customised EDM mould is also prepared, and the profile is cast out. The same is tested on the EDM. Thus, the developed path can be successfully used for rapid tooling applications.Originality/valueThe eutectic composition of Sn-Bi is cast in the 3D-printed mould using different AM techniques combined with 3D scanning quality to check its feasibility as an EDM electrode, which is a novel work and has not been done previously.

Bioactive polymer composite scaffolds fabricated from 3D printed negative molds enable bone formation and vascularization

Scaffolds for bone defect treatment should ideally support vascularization and promote bone formation, to facilitate the translation into biomedical device applications. This study presents a novel approach utilizing 3D-printed water-dissolvable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sacrificial molds to engineer polymerized High Internal Phase Emulsion (polyHIPE) scaffolds with microchannels and distinct multiscale porosity. Two sacrificial mold variants (250 µm and 500 µm) were generated using fused deposition modeling, filled with HIPE, and subsequently dissolved to create polyHIPE scaffolds containing microchannels. In vitro assessments demonstrated significant enhancement in cell infiltration, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation, underscoring the favorable impact of microchannels on cell behavior. High loading efficiency and controlled release of the osteogenic factor BMP-2 were achieved, with microchannels facilitating release of the growth factor. Evaluation in a mouse critical-size calvarial defect model revealed enhanced vascularization and bone formation in microchanneled scaffolds containing BMP-2. This study not only introduces an accessible method for creating multiscale porosity in polyHIPE scaffolds but also emphasizes its capability to enhance cellular infiltration, controlled growth factor release, and in vivo performance. The findings suggest promising applications in bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and are expected to facilitate the translation of this type of biomaterial scaffold. Statement of significanceThis study holds significance in the realm of biomaterial scaffold design for bone tissue engineering and regeneration. We demonstrate a novel method to introduce controlled multiscale porosity and microchannels into polyHIPE scaffolds, by utilizing 3D-printed water-dissolvable PVA molds. The strategy offers new possibilities for improving cellular infiltration, achieving controlled release of growth factors, and enhancing vascularization and bone formation outcomes. This microchannel approach not only marks a substantial stride in scaffold design but also demonstrates its tangible impact on enhancing osteogenic cell differentiation and fostering robust bone formation in vivo. The findings emphasize the potential of this methodology for bone regeneration applications, showcasing an interesting advancement in the quest for effective and innovative biomaterial scaffolds to regenerate bone defects.

Thermal Properties of 3D-Printed Molds for Light Metal Casting

AbstractBinder Jetting technology is well established for the production of sand molds and cores for foundry use, owing to its flexibility and expansive design capabilities. A wide array of sand, aggregate, and binder combinations is commercially available. Utilizing these types of refractory materials in the casting process presents both technical and economic benefits and drawbacks. For intricate cast components, foundry technologists must assess the thermophysical properties of the mold material systems. With this knowledge, specialized high-performance material combinations may be employed in specific areas of the mold, while more economically viable systems are used for shaping the external mold support. This study primarily focuses on determining the heat capacity and thermal diffusivity and consequently the thermal conductivity using a specially developed analytical method. It investigates three different fundamental aggregates: silica, cerabeads®, and chromite. The result’s range provides an overview of relevant characteristics for the selected material systems. Given that the properties of sand affect heat flow during casting and solidification, these newly determined values can be utilized in future simulations. Consequently, these findings aid in maintaining and enhancing the quality of critically stressed cast parts.

Development, Testing, and Thermoforming of Thermoplastics Reinforced with Surface-Modified Aramid Fibers for Cover of Electronic Parts in Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Using 3D-Printed Molds.

This paper presents the development, characterization, and testing of PP/PE-g-MA composites with 10 and 15 wt% surface-modified aramid fibers, and aluminum-based pigment, as covers for a small drone body for collision protection. The successful fiber surface modification with SiO2 by the sol-gel method using TEOS was confirmed by FTIR, SEM, and EDS analyses. The composites were characterized by FTIR and SEM analyses and surface energy and water contact angle measurements and tested in terms of tensile, flexural, impact, and thermal properties. The materials exhibited hydrophobic character and compact and uniform morphostructures, with increased surface energy with fiber content owed to improved adhesion between modified fibers and the matrix. Compared to the control sample, composites with modified fibers showed an increase by 20% in tensile strength, and 36-52% in the modulus, and an increase by 26-33% in flexural strength and 30-47% in the modulus, with higher values at room temperature. Impact resistance of modified fiber composites showed an increase by 20-40% compared to the control sample, due to improved interaction between SiO2-modified fibers and maleic anhydride, which inhibits crack formation, allowing higher energies' absorption. The composites were vacuum-thermoformed on 3D-printed molds as a two-part cover for the body of a drone, successfully withstanding the flight test.

Evaluation of cell survival in different 3D-printed geometric shapes of human iPSC-derived engineered heart tissue.

Engineered Heart Tissue (EHT) is a promising tool to repair heart muscle defects and can additionally be used for drug testing. Due to the absence of an invitro vascularization, EHT geometry crucially impacts nutrient and oxygen supply by diffusion capacity. We analyzed cardiomyocyte survival in different EHT geometries. Different geometries with varying surface-area-to-volume-ratios were calculated (structure A (Ring) AS/V = 58.47 mm2/440 μL3, structure B (Infinity) 25.86 mm2/440 μL3). EHTs were generated from hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (4 × 106) and a fibrin/thrombin hydrogel. Cell viability was evaluated by RT-PCR, cytometric studies, and Bioluminescence imaging. Using 3D-printed casting molds, spontaneously beating EHTs can be generated in various geometric forms. At day 7, the RT-PCR analyses showed a significantly higher Troponin-T value in ring EHTs, compared to infinity EHTs. In cytometric studies, we evaluated 15% more Troponin-T positive cells in ring (73% ± 12%), compared to infinity EHTs (58% ± 11%, p = 0.04). BLI visualized significantly higher cell survival in ring EHTs (ROI = A: 1.14 × 106 p/s and B: 8.47 × 105 p/s, p < 0.001) compared to infinity EHTs during longitudinal cultivation process. Use of 3D-printing allows the creation of EHTs in all desired geometric shapes. The geometry with an optimized surface-area-to-volume-ratio (ring EHT) demonstrated a significantly higher cell survival measured by RT-PCR, Bioluminescence imaging, and cytometric studies using FACS analysis.

Development of a flexible liver phantom for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment planning: a useful tool for training & education

PurposeHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of liver cancer that could potentially be surrounded by healthy arteries or veins that a surgeon would have to avoid during treatment. A realistic 3D liver model is an unmet need for HCC preoperative planning.MethodsThis paper presents a method to create a soft phantom model of the human liver with the help of a 3D-printed mold, silicone, ballistic gel, and a blender.ResultsFor silicone, the elastic modulus of seven different ratios of base silicone and silicone hardener are tested; while for ballistic gel, a model using 20% gelatin and 10% gelatin is created for the tumor and the rest of the liver, respectively. It is found that the silicone modulus of elasticity matches with the real liver modulus of elasticity. It is also found that the 10% gelatin part of the ballistic gel model is an excellent emulation of a healthy human liver.ConclusionThe 3D flexible liver phantom made from a 10% gelatin-to-water mixture demonstrates decent fidelity to real liver tissue in terms of texture and elasticity. It holds significant potential for improving medical training, preoperative planning, and surgical research. We believe that continued development and validation of such models could further enhance their utility and impact in the field of hepatobiliary treatment planning and education.

Liver Phantoms Cast in 3D-Printed Mold for Image-Guided Procedures.

Image-guided invasive procedures on the liver require a steep learning curve to acquire the necessary skills. The best and safest way to achieve these skills is through hands-on courses that include simulations and phantoms of different complications, without any risks for patients. There are many liver phantoms on the market made of various materials; however, there are few multimodal liver phantoms, and only two are cast in a 3D-printed mold. We created a virtual liver and 3D-printed mold by segmenting a CT scan. The InVesalius and Autodesk Fusion 360 software packages were used for segmentation and 3D modeling. Using this modular mold, we cast and tested silicone- and gelatin-based liver phantoms with tumor and vascular formations inside. We tested the gelatin liver phantoms for several procedures, including ultrasound diagnosis, elastography, fibroscan, ultrasound-guided biopsy, ultrasound-guided drainage, ultrasound-guided radio-frequency ablation, CT scan diagnosis, CT-ultrasound fusion, CT-guided biopsy, and MRI diagnosis. The phantoms were also used in hands-on ultrasound courses at four international congresses. We evaluated the feedback of 33 doctors regarding their experiences in using and learning on liver phantoms to validate our model for training in ultrasound procedures. We validated our liver phantom solution, demonstrating its positive impact on the education of young doctors who can safely learn new procedures thus improving the outcomes of patients with different liver pathologies.

Creation and Validation of a Novel 3-Dimensional Pediatric Hip Ultrasound Model.

The aim of this study was to create and validate a 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound model with normal and abnormal pediatric hip joint anatomy that is comparable to a pediatric hip joint in appearance and anatomy and replicates sonographic characteristics of a pediatric hip joint. A 3D rendering of the bone and soft tissue was created from a computed tomography pelvic scan of a pediatric patient. This rendering was modified to include a unilateral joint effusion. The bone was 3D printed with a photopolymer plastic, whereas the soft tissue was cast with a silicone mixture in a 3D-printed mold. The effusion was simulated by injecting saline into the soft tissue cavity surrounding the bone. The ultrasound model was validated by pediatric point-of-care ultrasonographers at an international pediatric ultrasound conference. A pediatric hip ultrasound model was developed that simulates both normal and abnormal pediatric hip joint anatomy, each with an appropriately sized, measurable joint effusion. Validation by pediatric point-of-care ultrasonographers showed that the key aspects of a normal pediatric hip joint (femoral physis, sloped femoral neck, and adequate soft tissue) with an identifiable and measurable effusion were included in the ultrasound model. In this study, we successfully created a cost-effective, reusable, and reproducible 3D pediatric hip ultrasound model. The majority of pediatric point-of-care ultrasonographers who evaluated the model agreed that this model is comparable to a pediatric patient for the purpose of teaching ultrasound skills and joint space measurement.

Gelatin-Based Liver Phantoms for Training Purposes: A Cookbook Approach.

Background: Patients with liver pathology benefit from image-guided interventions. Training for interventional procedures is recommended to be performed on liver phantoms until a basic proficiency is reached. In the last 40 years, several attempts have been made to develop materials to mimic the imaging characteristics of the human liver in order to create liver phantoms. There is still a lack of accessible, reproducible and cost-effective soft liver phantoms for image-guided procedure training. Methods: Starting from a CT-scan DICOM file, we created a 3D-printed liver mold using InVesalius (Centro de Tecnologia da informação Renato Archer CTI, InVesalius 3 open-source software, Campinas, Brazil) for segmentation, Autodesk Fusion 360 with Netfabb (Autodesk software company, Fusion 360 2.0.19426 with Autodesk Netfabb Premium 2023.0 64-Bit Edition, San Francisco, CA, USA) for 3D modeling and Stratasys Fortus 380 mc 3D printer (Stratasys 3D printing company, Fortus 380 mc 3D printer, Minneapolis, MN, USA). Using the 3D-printed mold, we created 14 gelatin-based liver phantoms with 14 different recipes, using water, cast sugar and dehydrated gelatin, 32% fat bovine milk cream with intravenous lipid solution and technical alcohol in different amounts. We tested all these phantoms as well as ex vivo pig liver and human normal, fatty and cirrhotic liver by measuring the elasticity, shear wave speed, ultrasound attenuation, CT-scan density, MRI signal intensity and fracture force. We assessed the results of the testing performed, as well as the optical appearance on ultrasound, CT and MRI, in order to find the best recipe for gelatin-based phantoms for image-guided procedure training. Results: After the assessment of all phantom recipes, we selected as the best recipe for transparent phantoms one with 14 g of gelatin/100 mL water and for opaque phantom, the recipes with 25% cream. Conclusions: These liver gelatin-based phantom recipes are an inexpensive, reproducible and accessible alternative for training in image-guided and diagnostic procedures and will meet most requirements for valuable training.