3D Scanning and Rapid Prototyping at Criteria Systems are outstanding tools for medical applications.
For instance, The Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. is using 3D rapid prototyping to create multi-color physical models of anatomy to aid in performing delicate surgeries.
Beginning with CT scans or photos, the institution’s 3D Medical Applications Center transforms them into 3D files, applies any color to the resulting digital models, and then uses a 3D printer to produce multicolor physical models. These models can be held in the hand and examined from all angles, which helps surgeons get a better idea of what issues they will need to know about during surgery. Currently, the center prints several of these models per week.
In particular, neurosurgeons have found the models useful as they make models of aneurysms and arterio-venous malformations to help them perform delicate surgeries. This way, surgeons report that they can know in advance the anatomical structures of the patient rather than discovering them after the incision is made, thus lessening the possibility of blood loss and chances of infections.
For orthopedic use, surgeons created a model for removal of bony growths on a patient’s knee. Surgeons used a 3D printer to print a white model of the joint with blood vessels illuminated in red and nerves in yellow, which gives the surgeon a roadmap to figure out the best route to address the tumors.
In one case, the surgeon used a sterile bag to transport his model into the operating room. He aligned his cutting instrument on the model, then aligned his instrument on the patient in the same manner.
For constructing facial prosthetic models, a 3D printed mask is used in anaplastology to avoid the process of plaster on patients’ faces used to produce a moulage casting.
For more information, visit http://www.criteria-systems.com.
Showing posts with label rapid prototype. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rapid prototype. Show all posts
Monday, January 11, 2010
Monday, October 5, 2009
Where the Wild Things Are 3D Model
We are currently undertaking the following project to bring a character from Where the Wild Things Are to life. The piece has been modeled and will now move to enlargement and production in foam as a foam prototype.
The hair will be added to the physical model. Stay tuned for updates.
The hair will be added to the physical model. Stay tuned for updates.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Interesting Article About Rapid Prototyping
Check out this article about different Rapid Prototyping technologies.
Rapid-Prototyping Technologies Enhance-Innovation Opportunity
Rapid-Prototyping Technologies Enhance-Innovation Opportunity
Monday, April 6, 2009
More galleries online
We have now completed the upload of galleries for rapid prototyping, 3D scanning, design and foam prototyping at http://www.criteria-systems.com/galleries.htm
Please check out the images, and let us know what you think.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Rapid Prototyping Gallery Online
We are beta testing our online rapid prototyping gallery at http://www.criteria-systems.com/prototype_gallery.htm.
Please check it out and let us know what you think.
In the near future we will be adding design and 3D scanning galleries as well. Stay tuned at http://www.criteria-systems.com.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Vinyl Toy Model
Here is a model for a Vinyl toy designed at Criteria Systems. This is to be made as part of an upcoming short-production series. The ears and graphics will be different on various models.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Forum Launched
Check out the Criteria Systems forum site here. Post ideas, comments and discussions. The site requires membership, but great networking potential.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Tips for Your 3D Printed Rapid Prototype
Three-dimensional printers can save you a lot of time and money, but if you are unaware of some of their complexities, you may not get exactly what you expected out of the machine when you pick up your models at the end of the day. From working with your original CAD file to making it suitable for 3D printing, importing it into the printer’s software preparing your digital file, to finishing off the part at the end of the process, the actions you take in each step can have a significant impact on your model.
Guidelines
As a general rule, all geometries must be able to exist in the real world. All geometric parts have a minimum wall thickness. For functional walls that hold parts together, it must be at least 1 to 2 mm. Minimum feature size resolution can be as low as 0.1 mm for ornamental features such as raised text or a font size equal to four.
File preparation
As an option, remove unnecessary geometry. This helps the system operate faster because it shrinks the file size. For example, you might not need to visualize certain parts on the inside of your model, such as an engine under the hood of a car. Or, when you are only concerned with one area of the design, you might want to remove the detail on the backside or any other unnecessary external feature. Printing these parts can also consume additional system resources. However, this step is optional and depends on the application. Oftentimes removing the parts is more difficult than dealing with a slow system.
Once you export the file out of a CAD program, check it thoroughly and fix any problems. Make sure the file contains only solids and eliminate features that register only as surfaces. For example, tabletops may lack a thickness dimension, so a 3D printer will not print them. An object may look solid from afar, but as you zoom in, the sides may not be completely closed. Unless you check files before printing, you could end up with a model that is missing features that appeared on your screen and in your file, but did not print. For example, many tabletops in houses are one-dimensional; they do not have any thickness.
Because file checking can be complex as well as critical to a successful print job, some 3D printer manufacturers now offer software packages that execute this task. The ZEditTM Pro, for example, checks files automatically upon importation and fixes those that it can fix without your intervention.
Size your part appropriately. If necessary, split the model in half. Some printer systems will help you build orientation pins to accommodate this action. If you are using a process such as Criteria System’s, and the model is too big, our printers will let you create holes so as not to use too much material.
Know the capabilities of your printer Criteria System’s printers not only add color; they print labels, dates, filenames, logos, and annotations.
Know your options
Our software lets you to add color to different parts of your assembly or color each part individually to help illustrate a point or to highlight an internal piece. In addition, the printer can apply a virtual sticker to the model. You can add labels, print a filename, date, owner, logo, or annotations on the part to help with traceability.
Guidelines
As a general rule, all geometries must be able to exist in the real world. All geometric parts have a minimum wall thickness. For functional walls that hold parts together, it must be at least 1 to 2 mm. Minimum feature size resolution can be as low as 0.1 mm for ornamental features such as raised text or a font size equal to four.
File preparation
As an option, remove unnecessary geometry. This helps the system operate faster because it shrinks the file size. For example, you might not need to visualize certain parts on the inside of your model, such as an engine under the hood of a car. Or, when you are only concerned with one area of the design, you might want to remove the detail on the backside or any other unnecessary external feature. Printing these parts can also consume additional system resources. However, this step is optional and depends on the application. Oftentimes removing the parts is more difficult than dealing with a slow system.
Once you export the file out of a CAD program, check it thoroughly and fix any problems. Make sure the file contains only solids and eliminate features that register only as surfaces. For example, tabletops may lack a thickness dimension, so a 3D printer will not print them. An object may look solid from afar, but as you zoom in, the sides may not be completely closed. Unless you check files before printing, you could end up with a model that is missing features that appeared on your screen and in your file, but did not print. For example, many tabletops in houses are one-dimensional; they do not have any thickness.
Because file checking can be complex as well as critical to a successful print job, some 3D printer manufacturers now offer software packages that execute this task. The ZEditTM Pro, for example, checks files automatically upon importation and fixes those that it can fix without your intervention.
Size your part appropriately. If necessary, split the model in half. Some printer systems will help you build orientation pins to accommodate this action. If you are using a process such as Criteria System’s, and the model is too big, our printers will let you create holes so as not to use too much material.
Know the capabilities of your printer Criteria System’s printers not only add color; they print labels, dates, filenames, logos, and annotations.
Know your options
Our software lets you to add color to different parts of your assembly or color each part individually to help illustrate a point or to highlight an internal piece. In addition, the printer can apply a virtual sticker to the model. You can add labels, print a filename, date, owner, logo, or annotations on the part to help with traceability.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
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