Research On The Rapid Prototype Integrated Manufacturing System Of Prosthetic Socket

The paper, with an application of rapid prototype manufacturing, laser 3-D measurement, and CAD modeling technologies designing, attempts for a research and practice on the theoretical foundation and software system for the Rapid Prototype Integrated Manufacturing System of Prosthetic Socket. The System bears great theoretical and practical significance in that it does not only involves techniques of 3-D measurement, data procession, surface construction, 3-D modeling, and rapid prototype, but also combines well the medical rehabilitation engineering with advanced manufacturing techniques.The paper first presents the importance of prosthetic socket, explains the traditional process of producing prosthesis socket and the current situation of artificial modeling of prosthetic socket by directly plastering the stump to obtain its prototype and then rectifying them for a better plaster mould to the stump, which results in complexity and discomfortability of prosthetic socket. The paper presents the idea of designing the integrated manufacturing system based on rapid prototype manufacturing, and supplies a brief introduction to the rapid prototype manufacturing and its medical application as well. The paper then points out that rapid prototype manufacturing and computer-aid designing and manufacturing are the trends in the future. The paper then presents a detailed explanation of the overall structure of the System and points out that the System is composed of fourfunctional modules: 3-D measurement, 3-D modeling, manufacturing system, and matter transformation. The System is a revolutionary breakthrough in manufacturing prosthetic socket and highlights its respect for the individuality of stump sufferers. The theoretical research and system development in the paper include:1. Data collection and procession. The paper involves a great amount of research and analysis, especially on laser 3-D measurement and its application to the measurement of the shape of stumps.2. Application of C + + to drafting the procedure of data format transformation with an aim of building the modules into an organic system.3. Application of Pro/Scan-tool to constructing with the measured data the mould of prosthetic socket, after an exploration into 3-D entities construction technique and current CAD modeling software.4. Research on the method of constructing the pattern of prosthetic socket and on the B-spline-curve-based smoothing algorithm of 3-D moulds as well.