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An integrated experimental approach to link a laser digitiser, a CAD/CAM system and a rapid prototyping system for biomedical applications

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Abstract

This study is carried out to develop a direct link between a laser digitiser and a rapid prototyping system for biomedical applications. Two CAD/CAM systems, DUCT and Pro-Engineer, are investigated and the DUCT system is found to be more suitable for this purpose. A laser digitiser is used to capture three-dimensional surface data for the object. With the aid of the CAD/CAM system, the data can be manipulated in a number of ways for display, modification and enhancement. In addition, the object scanned by the laser digitiser can be physically produced relatively quickly and accurately using StereoLithography Apparatus (SLA), a leading rapid prototyping system. Feasible and practical solutions to the problems encountered in the CAD surface model construction are proposed and illustrated. Two case studies, a facial and a breast model, are presented. Results show that this integrated approach can be applied effectively in the biomedical field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Engineering and Technology Management, School of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore

    C. K. Chua, S. M. Chou, W. S. Ng & K. Y. Chow

  2. Department of Plastic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore

    S. T. Lee, S. C. Aung & C. S. Seah

Authors
  1. C. K. Chua
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  2. S. M. Chou
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  3. W. S. Ng
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  4. K. Y. Chow
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  5. S. T. Lee
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  6. S. C. Aung
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  7. C. S. Seah
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Chua, C.K., Chou, S.M., Ng, W.S. et al. An integrated experimental approach to link a laser digitiser, a CAD/CAM system and a rapid prototyping system for biomedical applications. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 14, 110–115 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01322219

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01322219

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