Additive manufacturing of prosthetic products based on forest raw materials (AMPOFORM)

Purpose and goal

There is a great need in the prosthetic industry to replace fossil raw materials with renewables and to reduce the handicrafts required for individual adaptation. This project is probably the first in the world to demonstrate a comprehensive solution from material production to fitting a patient. The project showed how bio-based materials can be used in public health care. By combining forest-based materials with additive manufacturing (AM), the demand for environmentally friendly materials and competitive production technology can be met.

Expected results and effects

The project developed a technology platform for prosthetic industries based on AM- and forest-based material, which consists of holistic technical solutions from biocomposts, AM to protest production and service. The expected effects include the creation of a new value chain, more advanced products, higher added value and stronger competitiveness of the Swedish healthcare and bioeconomic sector, and accelerated transition of the Swedish prosthetic industry to modern and sustainable, based on renewable material resources and direct personification techniques.

Planned approach and implementation

The project started with selection of forest raw materials to build up an environmentally friendly material that is considered important according to a patient survey conducted within the project. The choice ultimately fell on microfibrillar cellulose (MFC) which showed outstanding mechanical properties when blended into an ordinary plastic matrix and good processability with the AM technology. Finally, specialists in the Orthopedic industry have designed and digitized a specially adapted prosthesis for a patient who, after validation, was very satisfied.

External links

3D-printade proteser från skogen