Abstract
Traditionally investment casting of biomedical implants has utilized the lost wax process, this paper is an investigation into the possibilities of casting small lots of custom specific medical implants directly and indirectly from various rapid prototyping & tooling techniques. Small batch quantities for quick turn arounds cost and lead times are the main contributing factors for the purpose of this investigation.
To directly produce parts means that a RP model will be used in the place of the wax pattern in the investment casting process.
To indirectly produce parts means that a mould, which has been generated from RP&T techniques, will be used to manufacture wax patterns that will then in turn be used to investment cast the parts.
The device to be manufactured is a non-sterile, referred to as ‘trial’ prosthetic implant. The implant is used by the operating surgeon to check the ‘fit’ of the cavity that will be made to receive the prosthesis plus bone cement that will be used to fix the implant in place.
