Send us a textDavid Pierick, a retired Applications Engineer, shares the journey of bringing powder bed fusion technology to prosthetics and orthotics, revolutionizing patient comfort and outcomes through advanced materials.• The initial challenge: proving 3D printed prosthetic components were as good or better than traditional methods• Testing showed printed sockets were remarkably strong—in one test bending the aluminum testing rod before deforming the socket• Patient feedback consistently reported greater comfort with PA-12 sockets, especially when paired with flexible interliners• PA-11 offers superior fatigue properties and better strength-to-stiffness ratio than PA-12, though at higher cost• PK5000 combines nylon stiffness with TPU softness, enabling thinner socket designs with excellent impact resistance• Proper design principles are critical: avoid sharp edges, ensure proper radii on all features, and properly transition corrugations• Future innovation requires thinking beyond traditional manufacturing constraints and adopting true 3D design approaches• Collaborative teams of polymer experts, design specialists, and clinicians are essential for solving complex challenges• New applications could include integrated functionality with shock absorption zones and varying flexibility in a single componentSpecial thanks to Advanced 3D for sponsoring this episode.Support the show

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