IAES International Journal of Robotics and Automation (IJRA)
Vol 6, No 3: September 2017

Implementing 3D Printer to Produce Parts in Medical Applications

Roger Johnson (University of Louisiana at Lafayette)
Charles Taylor (University of Louisiana at Lafayette)
G. H. Massiha (University of Louisiana at Lafayette)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Sep 2017

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to show the ability of a 3D printer to produce temporary parts, molds, and jigs for industrial applications. In the industry, it is common for any replacement parts to be milled by a CNC machine or a large inventory of replacement parts to be kept on standby.  This represents an underutilization of company capital.  This is because there should either be a CNC machine delegated to remake the part, while the other machine is down, or have capital dumped into parts that will not be utilized until a part breaks.  A 3D printer can create a temporary part that can take the place of the broken one until another, more permanent, one can be produced or ordered.  Although, if this was the only thing it would be used for it also would be underutilized and not bringing out its full potential.  It can also make jigs in a fraction of the time, and cost in materials, it would take for a CNC machine to mill it from metal.  This increases flexibility of the 3D printer and does not leave it underutilized, thus not being capital that is underutilized.

Copyrights © 2017






Journal Info

Abbrev

IJRA

Publisher

Subject

Automotive Engineering Electrical & Electronics Engineering

Description

Robots are becoming part of people's everyday social lives and will increasingly become so. In future years, robots may become caretaker assistants for the elderly, or academic tutors for our children, or medical assistants, day care assistants, or psychological counselors. Robots may become our ...