Article: Design, ultra-precision polishing and measurement of superfinished orthopaedic implants for bio-medical applications: an integrated approach Journal: International Journal of Nanomanufacturing (IJNM) 2011 Vol.7 No.5/6 pp.393 - 408 Abstract: Superfinished freeform surfaces are vital to prolong the life of orthopaedic implants against corrosion and wear debris. However, the bearing surfaces of knee implants are usually freeform surfaces which are difficult to be designed, fabricated and measured with sub-micrometer form accuracy and surface finish in the nanometer range. This paper presents an integrated approach for supporting design, ultra-precision polishing and measurement of superfinished orthopaedic implants for bio-medical applications. The platform mainly consists of five key modules which include CAD model design module, data exchange module, model-based simulation system, tool path generator, as well as freeform measurement and characterisation module, respectively. A prototype of the integrated platform has been built and the technological merits of the platform have been realised through a series of experimental work. The results show that the form accuracy and surface roughness of the superfinished surfaces can be reduced effectively with the use of the integrated approach. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Design, ultra-precision polishing and measurement of superfinished orthopaedic implants for bio-medical applications: an integrated approach

Authors: C.F. Cheung

Addresses: Partner State Key Laboratory of Ultra-precision Machining Technology, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Abstract: Superfinished freeform surfaces are vital to prolong the life of orthopaedic implants against corrosion and wear debris. However, the bearing surfaces of knee implants are usually freeform surfaces which are difficult to be designed, fabricated and measured with sub-micrometer form accuracy and surface finish in the nanometer range. This paper presents an integrated approach for supporting design, ultra-precision polishing and measurement of superfinished orthopaedic implants for bio-medical applications. The platform mainly consists of five key modules which include CAD model design module, data exchange module, model-based simulation system, tool path generator, as well as freeform measurement and characterisation module, respectively. A prototype of the integrated platform has been built and the technological merits of the platform have been realised through a series of experimental work. The results show that the form accuracy and surface roughness of the superfinished surfaces can be reduced effectively with the use of the integrated approach.

Keywords: ultraprecision polishing; orthopaedic implants; freeform surfaces; ultraprecision machining; precision surface measurement; biomedical engineering; wear; implant lifetime; bearing surfaces; knee implants; CAD; modelling; impant design; data exchange; simulation; tool path generation; superfinishing; surface finish.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNM.2011.043694

International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, 2011 Vol.7 No.5/6, pp.393 - 408

Received: 12 Nov 2010
Accepted: 18 Mar 2011
Published online: 07 Mar 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article

Title: Design, ultra-precision polishing and measurement of superfinished orthopaedic implants for bio-medical applications: an integrated approach

Keep up-to-date