Rapid manufacturing: A path to new markets

Over the last three years collaboration between a hip surgeon and the rapid prototyping laboratory at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design in Norway has resulted in a system for improving the hip replacement surgery. The method is to use custom fitted measuring devices during surgery, so called anteversionheads, these devices could have hundreds of different designs. By using rapid prototyping techniques like SLS it is possible to produce these parts directly, no tools or storage, production on demand. The report goes through the different aspects of the process, pinpointing problems and solutions. The conclusions are that Rapid manufacturing, using standard rapid prototyping processes definitely has its advantages when it comes to freedom of form, economy and adaptability. The problems encountered are typical for the rapid prototyping industry; low accuracy, few materials to choose from and mainly for this project, cleaning of the parts.