Abstract Scope |
Additive manufacturing (AM), a.k.a 3D printing (3DP), processes allow for the rapid, on-site, and on-demand fabrication of complex, intricate, and customized patient-specific implants. Therefore, AM technology is now being widely explored and adopted for the fabrication of bone tissue engineering (BTE) scaffolds. However, the dimensional stability, control and accuracy of such structures are crucial to serve the desired functionalities, i.e., providing a template for cell adhesion, growth and proliferation. In this study, numerical modelling and simulation tools are employed to investigate the different unit cell designs for BTE scaffold fabricated via selective laser sintering and fused filament fabrication processes. In addition, the effect of using different materials (i.e., polyamide-12 and polyether ether ketone) on dimensional accuracy (warpages) and residual stresses is investigated. The results of this study will provide a basis for appropriate process and material selection for producing such structures beforehand fabrication for sustainable use of materials and resources. |