Automated post-processing systems manufacturerAdditive Manufacturing Technologies(AMT) has deployed itsPostPro chemical vapor smoothing改善3D打印假肢的表面饰面，舒适性和耐用性的技术。
假肢设备制造商Proteoturned to AMT for the post-processing of its 3D printed DuoSocket prosthetic, which had been customized for a patient who had undergone a limb reamputation and for whom the device was still not comfortable or durable enough to use, due to the shape of the stump.
The firm made use of AMT’s PostPro chemical vapor smoothing system to improve the surface finish of the device in order to make it more comfortable to wear, while also increasing the stability and durability of the prosthetic to enable the patient to continue his normal physical activities, such as cycling and football.
PostPro chemical vapor smoothing
自2017年成立以来，AMT已经处理了超过600万印刷零件，并将其后处理系统交付给全球25个以上的国家。不久之后筹集了1100万英镑的B系列资金in October last year, the firm launched thenext generation of its chemical vapor smoothing technologyat Formnext 2021.
In the two years since the technology’s initial debut at Formnext 2019, AMT intensively developed and redesigned its chemical vapor smoothing systems from the ground up in order to reduce the overall part cost associated with the technology. The chemical vapor smoothing process is designed to automatically smooth and seal the surfaces of 3D printed polymer parts to achieve a surface finish akin to that of injection molding.
AMT’s PostPro technology works by suspending batches of parts in an ergonomically designed sealed processing chamber, which features a proprietary solvent blend introduced in vapor form in a closed-loop system. The consumable then reflows the polymer surface in order to remove irregularities, such as crack initiation sites, and seal the part to deliver smooth, complex geometries without degrading the component’s mechanical properties.
The resulting post-processed parts are airtight, watertight, and retain their tensile strength, meaning they are suitable for use in an array of highly-regulated end-use applications.
AMT’s PostPro technology is compatible with a wide range of polymers and iscapable of processing Multi Jet Fusion(MJF), SLS, SAFd FDM 3D printed parts to their desired surface roughness.
假肢的后期处理
Proteo是最早成功实施3D打印，CAD建模和3D扫描的公司之一。两人的假肢标志着公司产品开发的下一个阶段，Proteo希望通过这一阶段在全球范围内完全彻底改变假肢的创造。
Proteo的Duosocket假体是使用HP的MFJ 3D打印技术打印的3D，由两层组成；TPU内套筒和PA12外层。尽管TPU具有灵活的特性，但粗糙的3D印刷表面太不舒服，无法佩戴，并且如果患者在接触时出汗过多，也将充当细菌的理想育种地面。
To solve the prosthetic’s surface finish issues, the firm leveraged AMT’s PostPro chemical vapor smoothing technology. After surface finishing, the 3D printed prosthetic gained improved mechanical properties, such as elongation at break, which increased its durability and life longevity. The process also increased the flexibility of the TPU inner socket to deliver greater comfort.
One benefit of the PostPro chemical vapor smoothing technology is that because the process does not add or remove any materials, it does not increase the weight of the part or change its dimensional accuracy. This was particularly important for this application, as the prosthetic was custom-made exactly for the patient due to the challenging shape of his stump after reamputation, which made creating a well-fitting socket very difficult.
为了解决细菌增殖的关注，化学蒸气平滑过程密封了假肢的表面，以针对液体摄入。因此，如果患者穿着假肢时的汗水，汗水将简单地偏转地面，而不是被3D打印的部分吸收。反过来，密封的表面增加了灭菌，测试表明，与当然表面相比，经历过后化学蒸气平滑的部分表明细菌积累的降低。
后专业化学蒸气平滑技术的最终好处是，它增加了零件的整体美学，使它们看起来像是在工业上制造的。根据AMT的说法，这是“最终目标”。
一旦二重奏经历了后Pro化学蒸气平滑过程，患者就会发现TPU内层的穿着要舒适得多，而PA12外层耐用且稳定，足以使他进行正常的体育活动。
Not only did the partnership between AMT and Proteo provide the patient with a fully suitable and customized prosthetic with improved comfort and performance, but it also demonstrated the benefits of AMT’s PostPro chemical vapor smoothing platform for wider 3D printed prosthetics applications.
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Featured image shows使用AMT的Postpro技术进行了3D打印的Duosocket假体后处理。通过AMT的照片。
