Development Of Additive Manufacturing Technology Research Articles

The Use of 3D Printing Technology in the Ilizarov Method Treatment: Pilot Study.

Significant developments in additive manufacturing technology have occurred in recent years. 3D printing techniques can also be helpful in the Ilizarov method treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of 3D printing technology in the Ilizarov method treatment. Physical models of bones used to plan the spatial design of Ilizarov external fixator were manufactured by FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) spatial printing technology. Bone models were made of poly(L-lactide) (PLA). Printed 3D models of both lower leg bones allow doctors to prepare in advance for the Ilizarov method treatment: detailed consideration of the spatial configuration of the external fixation, experimental assembly of the Ilizarov external fixator onto the physical models of bones prior to surgery, planning individual osteotomy level and Kirschner wires introduction sites. Printed 3D bone models allow for accurate preparation of the Ilizarov apparatus spatially matched to the size of the bones and prospective bone distortion. Employment of the printed 3D models of bone will enable a more precise design of the apparatus, which is especially useful in multiplanar distortion and in the treatment of axis distortion and limb length discrepancy in young children. In the course of planning the use of physical models manufactured with additive technology, attention should be paid to certain technical aspects of model printing that have an impact on the accuracy of mapping of the geometry and physical properties of the model. 3D printing technique is very useful in 3D planning of the Ilizarov method treatment.

Effect of Ceramic Scaffold Architectural Parameters on Biological Response.

Numerous studies have focused on the optimization of ceramic architectures to fulfill a variety of scaffold functional requirements and improve biological response. Conventional fabrication techniques, however, do not allow for the production of geometrically controlled, reproducible structures and often fail to allow the independent variation of individual geometric parameters. Current developments in additive manufacturing technologies suggest that 3D printing will allow a more controlled and systematic exploration of scaffold architectures. This more direct translation of design into structure requires a pipeline for design-driven optimization. A theoretical framework for systematic design and evaluation of architectural parameters on biological response is presented. Four levels of architecture are considered, namely (1) surface topography, (2) pore size and geometry, (3) porous networks, and (4) macroscopic pore arrangement, including the potential for spatially varied architectures. Studies exploring the effect of various parameters within these levels are reviewed. This framework will hopefully allow uncovering of new relationships between architecture and biological response in a more systematic way as well as inform future refinement of fabrication techniques to fulfill architectural necessities with a consideration of biological implications.

PROSTHETIC EAR RECONSTRUCTION APPLYING COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHIC (CT) DATA AND ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES

The treatment of auricle defect can be by surgical or prosthetic ear rehabilitation depending on the condition. Current practice by surgeon for prosthetic ear rehabilitation require patient to go for osseointegrated craniofacial implant surgery for retention of the prosthetic ear. Impression technique play a vital role in accurate reproduction of affected and unaffected ears, orientation of the ear during wax try in and fabrication of ear prostheses. Traditionally, the wax pattern was created from the impression taken from patient and the final prosthesis is processed with silicone material. This conventional method has always been time consuming, massive work and caused discomfort to patient. Moreover the accuracy of the final prosthetic sometimes was not satisfied. Improvement in medical imaging technology whereby data from computerized tomography (CT) in 2D format can be converting to 3 dimensional images gave tremendous view for surgeon to visualize the result. A new and impressive advance in the development of additive manufacturing technology is now being able to be applied in medical field. The widespread use of computer-aided design (CAD) combine with computer aided manufacturing (CAM) produced the momentum and desire to translate the 3-D images into physical models. Studies and research have indicated the viability of using medical imaging technology, computer aided design (CAD) and additive manufacturing techniques in prosthetics. This paper proposed a novel method of fabricating the prosthetic ear applying mirror image technique to reconstruct the missing ear, and then fabricate the 3D model of the prosthetic ear using Stereolitography (SLA) technology that will become the master mold to produce the final prosthetic ear. This method eliminates the traditional wax pattern procedure. A clinical study is done onto a patient in HUSM and comparison is made between traditional method vs new approach using computer aided technology. Result showed that there is significant different between traditional and new approach design. The new method also shows time reduction during design and fabrication stage.

A review on 3D printed bioimplants

Additive manufacturing (AM) also known as 3D printing have been making inroads into medical applications such as surgical models and tools, tooling equipment, medical devices. One key area researchers are looking into is bioimplants. With the improvement and development of AM technologies, many different bioimplants can be made using 3D printing. Different biomaterials and various AM technologies can be used to create customized bioimplants to suit the individual needs. With the aid of 3D printing this could lead to new foam and design of bioimplants in the near further. Therefore, the purpose of this review articles is to (1) Describe the various AM technologies and process used to make bioimplants, (2) Different types of bioimplants printed with AM and (3) Discuss some of the challenges and future developments for 3D printed bioimplants.

The future for design education: preparing the design workforce for additive manufacturing

The role of the designer is changing. This is in response to the development of integrated digital technologies that have recently matured. The future role of the designer is unlikely to be an evolution of past practice, but rather be characterised as a step-change in practice. This is because the basic premise of the designer has remained relatively unchanged since the industrial revolution even with advances in technology, until now. Rather than providing additional manufacturing tools, the recent development of additive manufacturing technologies for direct manufacturing is proving to be a catalyst for the renegotiation of relationships between designers and consumers, and adoption of new approaches to design and supply enabled by digital communication. This article considers the implications for product design education with examples of changing student practice and curriculum in the development of a workforce to meet the opportunities and challenges of additive manufacturing and associated digital technologies.

Directly Manufacturing Mouse Mold by Plasma Deposition Manufacturing

Direct fabrication of end-use parts made of metal material has become one of the most interesting fields relevant to research and development of additive manufacturing technologies. This paper presents an effort of trial manufacture of a metal mouse mold with good performances of dimensional precision and fine surface roughness using direct manufacturing technology. The PDM (Plasma Deposition Manufacturing) process is adopted to couple with the milling process, which synthesizes plasma deposition as an additive technique, and milling as a subtractive technique during the processing. Plasma deposition manufacturing is demonstrated to allow rapidly fabricating the metal mouse mold directly from its CAD model without mold or tooling-based intermediary processes. The PDM method provides a new access to directly manufacture the metal parts and mold with short-process and high quality.

Additive Manufacturing for Medical and Biomedical Applications: Advances and Challenges

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has solidly established itself not only in rapid prototyping but also in industrial manufacturing. Its success is mainly determined by a possibility of manufacturing components with extremely complex shapes with minimal material waste. Rapid development of AM technologies includes processes using unique new materials, which in some cases is very hard or impossible to process any other way. Along with traditional industrial applications AM methods are becoming quite successful in biomedical applications, in particular in implant and special tools manufacturing. Here the capacity of AM technologies in producing components with complex geometric shapes is often brought to extreme. Certain issues today are preventing the AM methods taking its deserved place in medical and biomedical applications. Present work reports on the advances in further developing of AM technology, as well as in related post-processing, necessary to address the challenges presented by biomedical applications. Particular examples used are from Electron Beam Melting (EBM), one of the methods from the AM family.

Why AM now has the potential to revolutionise filtration solutions

Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing or more formally as rapid prototyping, has been in a process of development for over 25 years. Neil Burns, director at Croft Filters and Croft Additive Manufacturing (CAM), looks at the developments in AM technology and its potential to revolutionise industries that require filtration and separation solutions.

Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies for Electromagnetic Structures

Advanced fabrication technologies are poised to revolutionize the manufacturing environment. While the development of additive manufacturing technologies for mechanical components has been rapidly evolving, the application of these methods to the fabrication of RF and microwave components has been limited. Hybrid manufacturing processes, which combine distinct techniques such as fused deposition modeling (FDM), and laser micromachining, enable the creation of complex three-dimensional (3D) electromagnetic components. At NRL, we have investigated the combination of 3D printing techniques with direct-write processes that allow for the metallization, laser patterning and room temperature processing of electromagnetic patterns on 3D printed surfaces. The resolution and print volume achieved with these methods are well suited for the rapid prototyping of electromagnetic structures. Several example structures fabricated using these techniques will be presented.