CRPM | Center for Rapid Prototyping and ManufacturingCRPM | Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing

creativity. technology. solutions.

ABOUT US

The CRPM is located at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) in Bloemfontein and was established in 1997 as part of a research initiative. At that time, Additive Manufacturing (AM) also commonly known as 3D printing, was in its infancy worldwide.
Through the foresight of the founders of the CRPM, a laser sintering machine was imported from Germany for research at the Faculty of Engineering. This was the fifth machine in the country. It was soon realised that our equipment could benefit industry by offering a service in rapid prototyping. This would fulfil one of the missions of the university which is to introduce new technology to the South African manufacturing industry.
The centre received ISO 13485 certification for 3D printing of medical devices making it the first centre in SA and Africa to receive this prestigious certification for an Additive Manufacturing Centre.

Prof. Deon de Beer

NRF SARChI Chair: Medical Product Development through AM

Dr. Gerrie Booysen

Director: CRPM

Mr. Johan Els

Operations Manager

Mrs. Joyce Moletsane

Project Coordinator

Mr. Andre Heydenrych

Project Engineer: Design

Mr. Letsoalo Letsoalo

Project Engineer: Operations

Mr. Sizwe Ntimane

Project Engineer: Technical

Mr. Tshepo Nqojana

Financial Officer

Dr. Jeanné Oosthuysen

Consultant: Training, Project Coordinating and Fundraising

Ms. Dimpho Thupaemang

Junior Project Engineer: Technical

Ms. Dimakatso Mary-Pearl Ngake

Junior Project Assistant: Administration and Finance

Ms. Crystal Newman

Junior Project Assistant: Graphic Designer

Mr. Tebello Makgethi

Workshop Assistant

Ms. Thandolethu Nyapela

Workshop Assistant

Prof. Cules van den Heever

Clinical Advisor

3D PRINTING SERVICES

Lamp – Nomili

Horse marionette – Nomili

Business card holder

Tooling for toy wheel

Midface implant

Pre operative model

Mandibular implant

Hip implant

X-ray of hip implant

Hemi-maxilla implant

Drill guide designed for dental drilling

Toolsteel 3D printing

Tooling with cooling channels

Medical Prosthesis

Medical Prosthesis Medical Prosthesis

Architectural model

PUBLICATIONS

RESEARCH

Publication1

CUSTOMIZED RECONSTRUCTION OF AN EXTENSIVE MANDIBULAR DEFECT: A CLINICAL REPORT

Myoepithelial carcinomas are rare malignant tumors arising from salivary glands. They most commonly involve the parotid and minor salivary glands but may also occur in the submandibular glands. These tumors can become extensive, causing bony expansion and destruction. A 31-yearold man with a large swelling on the left side of the face is presented. Histologic examination of an incisional biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of a myoepithelial carcinoma arising from the left submandibular salivary gland. After tumor resection, the patient’s mandible was reconstructed with a customized mandibular framework produced by means of 3-dimensional (3D) laser sintering. This approach
significantly reduced cost, advanced surgical procedures, and operating room time, which is of great benefit in a developing country like South Africa. (J Prosthet Dent 2016;116:928-931)

DOWNLOAD THE ARTICLE HERE

laser-melting

EVALUATION OF SINGLE TRACKS OF 17-4PH STEEL MANUFACTURED AT DIFFERENT POWER DENSITIES AND SCANNING SPEEDS BY SELECTIVE LASER MELTING

In Selective Laser Melting, the initial units produced are single tracks that overlap to create a single layer; from the sequence of layers, a 3D object is manufactured. The properties of the parts produced by SLM depend heavily on the
properties of each single track and each layer formed by these tracks. This study evaluates the effect of processing parameters on the geometrical characteristics of single tracks manufactured from 17-4PH stainless steel powder. A single-mode continuous-wave ytterbium fibre laser was used to manufacture single tracks at laser powers in the
range of 100-300 W with a constant spot size of ∼80μm. The single tracks produced were subjected to standard metallographic preparation techniques for further analysis with an optical microscope.

DOWNLOAD THE ARTICLE HERE

midfacial-defect

RECONSTRUCTION OF AN EXTENSIVE MIDFACIAL DEFECT USING ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors are extremely rare tumors arising in peripheral nerves. Only 17 cases involving the trigeminal nerve have ever been reported. These tumors have a very poor prognosis and very high rates of recurrence and metastases. Their recommended treatment involves complete tumor resection followed by
radiation. This can be problematic in the head and neck region. We present a clinical case involving a 33-year-old female patient presenting with a slowgrowing, exophytic mass of the anterior maxilla. Incisional biopsy and subsequent histological examination revealed a diagnosis of a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Surgical resection involved a complete maxillectomy, rhinectomy, and resection of the upper lip and aspects of the left and right cheeks. Reconstruction of the subsequent defect incorporated the placement of four zygomatic oncology implants to aid in retention of a facial prosthesis.

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residual-stress

RESIDUAL STRESS IN TI6AL4V OBJECTS PRODUCED BY DIRECT METAL LASER SINTERING

Direct Metal Laser Sintering produces 3D objects using a layer-by-layer method in which powder is deposited in thin layers. Laser beam scans over the powder fusing powder particles as well as the previous layer. High-concentration of laser energy input leads to high thermal gradients which induce residual stress within the as-built parts. Ti6Al4V (ELI) samples have been manufactured by EOSINT M280 system at prescribed by EOS process-parameters.
Residual stresses were measured by XRD method. Microstructure, values and directions of principal stresses inTi6Al4V DMLS samples were analysed.

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tensile-properties

TENSILE PROPERTIES AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF DIRECT METAL LASERSINTERED TI6AL4V (ELI) ALLOY

Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is an additive manufacturing technology used to melt metal powder by high laser power to produce customised parts, light-weight structures, or other complex objects. During DMLS, powder is melted and solidified track-by-track and layer-by-layer; thus, building direction can influence the mechanical
properties of DMLS parts. The mechanical properties and microstructure of material produced by DMLS can depend on the powder properties, process parameters, scanning strategy, and building geometry. In this study, the microstructure, tensile properties, and porosity of DMLS Ti6Al4V (ELI) horizontal samples were analysed. Defect
analysis by CT scans in pre-strained samples was used to detect the crack formation mechanism during tensile testing of as-built and heat-treated samples. The mechanical properties of the samples before and after stress relieving are discussed.

DOWNLOAD THE ARTICLE HERE

miniaturised-tensile-testing

VALIDATION OF MINIATURISED TENSILE TESTING ON DMLS TI6AL4V (ELI) SPECIMENS

Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is a relatively new technology that is developing rapidly. Since DMLS
material is created by melting/solidifying tracks and layers from powder, even building geometry can influence the mechanical properties. To certify a material, the testing specimens must be designed and manufactured according to the appropriate standards. Miniaturised tensile DMLS samples could be a good alternative for express quality
control, and could reduce the cost of DMLS-specific testing. In this study, as-built and stress-relieved miniaturised tensile DMLS Ti6Al4V (ELI) specimens with different surface qualities were investigated. The fracture surfaces and mechanical properties of the mini-tensile specimens were analysed and compared with standard full-sized specimens also manufactured by DMLS. The obtained data showed the applicability of mini-tensile tests for the express analysis of DMLS objects if a correction factor is applied for the calculation of the load-bearing cross-section of the specimen.

DOWNLOAD THE ARTICLE HERE

MEDIA RELEASES

22/02/2017
CUT lends an ear…

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Local/Express-News/cut-lends-anear-20170221

15/10/2015
CUT makes life-changing cut with local doctors…

http://varsitypost.com/cutmakes-life-changing-cutwith-local-doctors/

26/08/2015
At the cutting edge…

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Local/Express-News/At-hecuttingedge-20150825-6

CUT and local doctors passionate about changing lives…

http://www.cut.ac.za/research-innovation/cut-local-doctors-passionate-changinglives/

08/08/2016
3D-Printed Custom Implant Helps Patient with Ossifying Fibroma

http://www.materialise.com/en/blog/3d-printed-customimplant-helps-patient-ossifyingfibroma#more-6180

Advanced Tumour and Trauma Reconstruction Implants

http://attri.co.za/

TECHNOLOGY

View complete specifications of machines by downloading the pdf spec sheets

DONATE

WHY DONATE?

CRPM has embarked on a journey to assist patients in public/private health facilities who are disfigured by cancer or traumatic incidents by providing prosthetics or re-constructive surgery, state of the art technology thus restoring their dignity and quality of life and in some cases saving lives.

If you are moved by the stories of the patients we have helped, you are welcome to contribute towards changing someone’s life.

We invite you to partner with us, to change lives and make a lasting difference in an individual’s life.

PLEDGE

To pledge please see below the banking details or complete the contact form below and we will contact you to confirm the pledge.

Once the pledge has been confirmed we will load your details on the list of companies/individuals who have signed up to pledge. Should you wish not to be listed we will respect your wish.

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