Z-direction Enhancing Manufacturing Strategy for 3D Printing Prosthetic Socket of Continuous Fiber Composite

doi:10.3901/JME.2022.07.267

Abstract

Abstract: The prosthetic socket is a necessary rehabilitation-aid equipment for lower limb amputees. As an important kind of human-machine interface between the residual limb and the prosthesis, the prosthetic socket plays an important role in containing the residual limb, supporting the body weight and transmitting the motion load. Compared with the prosthetic socket by conventional process, MEX-printing(material extrusion) prosthetic socket has the advantages of short processing period and low cost, which can meet the needs of rapid and low-cost manufacturing of prosthetic socket. However, the socket prepared by this process has a prominent disadvantage of poor Z-direction mechanical performance, which limited its application. To solve this problem, a series of strategies are proposed by previous studies to improve the Z-direction mechanical performance of MEX-printing process. Due to the limitations of materials and processes, the Z-direction mechanical performance of the sample prepared by the optimized printing strategy is still insufficient. In order to solve this problem, a multiaxial MEX printing equipment which can change the angle of extrusion head is developed based on the print requirements of the prosthetic socket. Then, the effect of fiber orthogonal-laying direction and the printing layer height on Z-direction mechanical properties of aramid fiber reinforced composites are systemically studied. Finally, parameters such as fiber direction and the thickness are correlated with the stress conditions of the prosthetic socket based on the mechanical analysis results of prosthetic socket during multi gait, then the Z-direction enhanced printing strategy of the prosthetic socket is proposed. The results showed that compared with the traditional 3D printing process, the Z-direction enhancing manufacturing strategy can significantly improve the mechanical properties of the prosthetic socket, which can meet the requirements of wearing fatigue property.

Key words: material extrusion, prosthetic socket, Z-direction enhancement, continuous fiber, mechanical property

CLC Number:

TD406

LIU Tengda, TANG Lei, SUN Changning, SHAN Cunqing, LI Dichen, TIAN Xiaoyong, LIU Chaozong, WANG Ling. Z-direction Enhancing Manufacturing Strategy for 3D Printing Prosthetic Socket of Continuous Fiber Composite[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2022, 58(7): 267-275.

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