Final RPJ submission.pdf (1.64 MB)
Comparing additive manufacturing technologies for customised wrist splints
journal contribution
posted on 2015-06-03, 10:10 authored by Abby PatersonAbby Paterson, Richard Bibb, Ian Campbell, Guy BinghamPurpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare four different additive manufacturing (AM) processes to assess their suitability in the context
of upper extremity splinting.
Design/methodology/approach – This paper describes the design characteristics and subsequent fabrication of six different wrist splints using four
different AM processes: laser sintering (LS), fused deposition modelling (FDM), stereolithography (SLA) and polyjet material jetting via Objet Connex.
The suitability of each process was then compared against competing designs and processes from traditional splinting. The splints were created using
a digital design workflow that combined recognised clinical best practice with design for AM principles.
Findings – Research concluded that, based on currently available technology, FDM was considered the least suitable AM process for upper extremity
splinting. LS, SLA and material jetting show promise for future applications, but further research and development into AM processes, materials and
splint design optimisation is required if the full potential is to be realised.
Originality/value – Unlike previous work that has applied AM processes to replicate traditional splint designs, the splints described are based on
a digital design for AM workflow, incorporating novel features and physical properties not previously possible in clinical splinting. The benefits of
AM for customised splint fabrication have been summarised. A range of AM processes have also been evaluated for splinting, exposing the
limitations of existing technology, demonstrating novel and advantageous design features and opportunities for future research.
Funding
Loughborough University
History
School
- Design and Creative Arts
Department
- Design
Published in
Rapid Prototyping JournalVolume
21Issue
3Pages
230 - 243Citation
PATERSON, A. ... et al., 2015. Comparing additive manufacturing technologies for customised wrist splints. Rapid Prototyping Journal, 21 (3), pp. 230-243.Publisher
© Emerald Group Publishing LimitedVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Publication date
2015-04-20Notes
This article is (©) Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here (http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-10-2013-0099). Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.ISSN
1355-2546Publisher version
Language
- en