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Additive manufacturing has been widely used in various industries, including the healthcare sector. Over the last few decades, AM has been playing an important role in the medical field in different areas, including surgical planning, implants, and educational activities. For surgical applications, AM can help surgeons practice and plan an operation until they are confident with the process. This can help to reduce operational risk and time. In addition, it can help to demonstrate the problem to other colleagues. AM has also been used to produce 3D models to teach students and doctors about human anatomy. This paper aims to comprehensively review the diverse applications of additive manufacturing within the domains of surgical planning and medical education. By focusing on the multifaceted roles played by AM in these critical areas, a contribution to the growing body of knowledge that underscores the transformative potential of this technology in shaping the future of healthcare practices is sought to be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of additive manufacturing technologies has brought about a significant transformation in several industries. Among these technologies, Fused Deposition Modeling/Fused Filament Fabrication (FDM/FFF) 3D printing has gained prominence as a rapid prototyping and small-scale production technique. The potential of FDM/FFF for applications that require improved mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties has been restricted due to the limited range of materials that are suitable for this process. This study explores the integration of various reinforcements, including carbon fibers, glass fibers, and nanoparticles, into the polymer matrix of FDM/FFF filaments. The utilization of advanced materials for reinforcing the filaments has led to the enhancement in mechanical strength, stiffness, and toughness of the 3D-printed parts in comparison to their pure polymer counterparts. Furthermore, the incorporation of fillers facilitates improved thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and flame retardancy, thereby broadening the scope of potential applications for FDM/FFF 3D-printed components. Additionally, the article underscores the difficulties linked with the utilization of filled filaments in FDM/FFF 3D printing, including but not limited to filament extrusion stability, nozzle clogging, and interfacial adhesion between the reinforcement and matrix. Ultimately, a variety of pragmatic implementations are showcased, wherein filled filaments have exhibited noteworthy benefits in comparison to standard FDM/FFF raw materials. The aforementioned applications encompass a wide range of industries, such as aerospace, automotive, medical, electronics, and tooling. The article explores the possibility of future progress and the incorporation of innovative reinforcement materials. It presents a plan for the ongoing growth and application of advanced composite materials in FDM/FFF 3D printing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D scanning, 3D printing, and CAD design software are considered important tools in Industry 4.0 product development processes. Each one of them has seen widespread use in a variety of scientific and commercial fields. This work aims to depict the added value of their combined use in a proposed workflow where a customized product needs to be developed. More specifically, the geometry of an existing physical item's geometry needs to be defined in order to fabricate and seamlessly integrate an additional component. In this instance, a 3D scanning technique was used to digitize an e-bike's frame geometry. This was essential for creating a peripheral component (in this case, a rear rack) that would be integrated into the frame of the bicycle. In lieu of just developing a tail rack from scratch, a CAD generative design process was chosen in order to produce a design that favored both light weight and optimal mechanical behaviors. FDM 3D printing was utilized to build the final design using ABS-CF10 materials, which, although being a thermoplastic ABS-based material, was introduced as a metal replacement for lighter and more ergonomic component production. Consequently, the component was manufactured in this manner and successfully mounted onto the frame of the e-bike. The proposed process is not limited to the manufacturing of this component, but may be used in the future for the fabrication of additional peripheral components and tooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]