Additive manufacturing of prosthetic products based on forest raw materials (AMPOFORM)
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | RISE INNVENTIA AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 4 938 000 |
| Project duration | September 2016 - June 2020 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | The strategic innovation programme Bioinnovation |
Important results from the project
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 long term 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.
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.