Arthritis is a condition that is excruciatingly painful and challenging to treat, but there is now a new treatment option that can be considered. The prevalence of arthritis is estimated to be one person in every six, according to the statistics. Five distinct institutes that are part of the German research organization Fraunhofer are working together to develop 3D-printed finger joint implants that patients will be able to individually customize to meet their requirements. These implants are being developed as part of a collaborative effort by Fraunhofer.
At the present time, there are not a lot of different treatment options available for arthritis of the hands or other conditions that are similar in nature. If implants are to be used despite the fact that the joint will fuse, there are currently two options available on the market to choose from. These options are silicone implants, which typically become loose within a short period of time, or basic standard implants, which are only available in certain sizes and do not allow for full participation in sports. As a result of this, there is an urgent need for a solution that is the perfect fit, does not slide out of position, and restores activity levels to what they were previously. A personalized implant would be the answer to this problem.
The binder-jet 3D printing process that was used to manufacture the implants required titanium powder as the raw material. This powder was provided by a supplier. The team started by developing a piece of software that was powered by artificial intelligence. This software was able to convert two-dimensional X-ray images into three-dimensional models of finger bones and correct any alignment issues that may have been present in the fingers. Additionally, the software was able to transform the images into three-dimensional models. After that, the researchers used artificial intelligence to create a personalized implant design based on the model of the finger, and then they printed it using a 3D printer. This process was repeated several times. The metal binder jetting technique of three-dimensional printing was selected as the method for the production of these items, and the powdered titanium alloy was used as the material. After being printed out, the implants were subjected to the sintering process so that the final product could be made.
Even rheumatoid arthritis patients who have fingers that are severely crooked are candidates for the most effective treatment, which is 3D printed implants. The team has developed a brand new technology that is capable of designing 2D images into 3D implants using AI, and they are currently in the process of submitting it for a patent. The production of finger implants at Fraunhofer was made possible by a process known as metal adhesive jetting. This was one of the technologies utilized. Because this technology does not require support, not only can it significantly reduce the amount of work that must be done during post-processing, but it can also fulfill the requirements of the design to make it easier to expand and incorporate the technology. Both of these benefits come as a result of the fact that this technology does not require support. the requirements that must be met in order to print intricate skeletal structures. Ceramic materials, in addition to metals like titanium, are also an option when it comes to the materials that can be utilized. Ceramic materials. Slip casting is a specialized method of casting that makes use of plaster molds, and it is the method that is used to process these materials. This method involves pouring molten metal into molds made of plaster.
In the future, it will be possible to provide effective treatment for even the most complex cases on the basis of the personalized 3D printed implants developed by Fraunhofer. These cases include fingers that are severely bent, missing bone parts, or very small joints. This will be in addition to resolving the challenging issue of rheumatoid arthritis, which is a problem at the moment. According to the findings of the research team, the next step that needs to be taken in order to bring the product to market is to obtain approval and seek the cooperation of corporations. The group also has the goal of launching a personalized implant development and certification compliance assessment center that is based on artificial intelligence.
The capacity for heat transfer of a cooling plate that is made of copper that has been 3D printed sees a significant improvement.
As a result of copper's high thermal conductivity, the metal is frequently used CNC turning and milling services in the manufacturing process of components that are responsible for heat dissipation and cooling. It is possible to realize complex geometric shapes with 3D printing, which leads to an improvement in the efficiency of heat dissipation and cooling components. Copper cooling components that were 3D printed would theoretically have a high efficiency because of this.
Copper, on the other hand, presents a number of difficulties when it comes to the 3D printing process due to the fact that it has a high reflectivity and is an excellent thermal conductor. In spite of this, as a result of the development of technology for 3D printing, there are now several processes for 3D printing that are capable of successfully using copper for 3D printing. At the Formnext exhibition in 2021, which was devoted to the field of 3D CNC finishing printing, Alloyed displayed a copper cooling plate that had been 3D printed using the process.
In order to make the most of the potential that 3D printing offers, the company Alloyed has developed a suite of cutting-edge software for the design of products. Not only can this software design parts with complex geometric structures, but it can also select the most appropriate 3D printing process and alloy materials by using algorithms. Other capabilities of this software include the ability to print the parts. This enables Alloyed to fully utilize the potential that lies within 3D printing as a business tool. Because of this, it is now feasible to provide faster and more cost-effective delivery of parts with improved functionality that can be used in a wide variety of applications.
It is common knowledge that this cooling plate in computer data centers serves a purpose that cannot be fulfilled by any other component. It is a method of cooling that makes use of liquid. As a result of its intricate geometry, not only does it have superior performance in terms of heat exchange and liquid pressure drop, but its cooling efficiency is also significantly improved. These benefits contribute, in turn, to the higher level of performance that was achieved overall. The integrated structure of a product produced with 3D printing not only reduces the amount of assembly that is required but also makes it easier to maintain. At the moment, in addition to the development of new technologies, some material manufacturers are also conducting research into new varieties of copper powder so that it can be used with the SLM3D printers that are currently in widespread use. The goal of this research is to make copper powder compatible with the printers that are used to make SLM3D objects.
