When reviewing past winners, please note that the 2021 award has been re-branded to a case study focus

SME's Additive Manufacturing Community is pleased to announce that the following individuals have been recognized for their contribution to additive manufacturing. The Dick Aubin Distinguished Paper Award is presented annually at SME's RAPID + TCT event.

2024

Winner: Advanced Engineering Solutions

Case Study Title: Patient-specific Femoral Implant with Osseointegration (PDF)

Team:
Advanced Engineering Solutions, Dr. Andreas Vlahinos, Design Engineer
PTC, Jose Coronado, Additive Manufacturing Software Development Expert
PTC, Reitman, Michael, CAD Software Development Expert
PTC, Ronen Ben Horin, Implant Manufacturing
Levin Orthopedic Oncology Department at Tel Aviv Medical Center, Dr. Dadia Solomon, Surgeon and Head of Surgical Innovation and 3D Printing
Levin Orthopedic Oncology Department at Tel Aviv Medical Center, Eran Golden, CTO at Tel Aviv Medical Center, Implant Development Guidance

Runner-Up: Point Designs

Case Study Title: Lightweight Revolution: Ventilated Multi-material Shoulder Disarticulation Prosthesis (PDF)

Team:
Chris Baschuk, MPO, CPO, FAAOP(D) - Director of Clinical Services, Point Designs
Shannon Baschuk - Lab Manager, Point Designs
Rebekah Stephens - Prosthetic Technician, Point Designs
Athena Perkins - Digital Prosthetic Technician, Point Designs
Joseph Griffa - Technical Operations Manager, Hamilton Prosthetics & Orthotics
Ben Demuth - 3D Marketing Strategy and Planning, Incubation Lead, HP
Brent Wright, CP, BOCO - Co-Owner, Advanced3D

Runner-Up: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Case Study Title: Breaking the 100 lb/h Barrier via Multi-agent Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing

Team: Andrzej Nycz, Alex Arbogast, Chris Masuo, Mark Noakes, Peter Wang, Luke Meyer, William Carter, Derek Vaughan, Alex Walters, Michael Sebok, Nathan Lambert, Joshua Vaughan, Jonathan Paul, Jason Flamm, Riley Wallace

2023

Winner:

Case Study Title: World’s first fully bio-based, fully recyclable, highly insulated 3D-printed house (PDF)

Team: Oakridge National Laboratory, The Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC), University of Maine, The Maine State Housing Authority, The Maine Technology Institute, WBRC, Inc.

Runner-Up:

Case Study Title: CH-47 Fuel Sampler Case Study

Team: Brandon Phillips, U.S. Army; Jeffrey Gaddes, U.S. Army; Ashley Totin, NCDMM; Marina Walton, GCA-Coach; Dan Longo, Youngstown Business Incubator; Kevin Slattery, TBGA; Chelsea Cummings, TBGA

2022

Winner:

Case Study Title: Laying the Groundwork for Industrial 3D-Printed Parts in Oil & Gas Applications (PDF)

Team: VELO^3D teams with IMI Critical Engineering to provide a major O&G operator with additively manufactured components for field service.

Runner-Up:

Case Study Title: Improving Critical Rocket Engine Performance with Advanced Metal AM (PDF)

Team: Max Haot, Founder and CEO, Launcher; Andre Ivanovic, Mechanical Engineer, Launcher; and Andre Ivanovic, Mechanical Engineer, Launcher

2021

Winner:

Case Study Title: Rapid Large Scale Additive Manufacturing of Full-scale RS-25 Engine Nozzle Liner (PDF)

Team: B. Dutta, M. Lewan, V. Singh, R. Fortuna, F. Ghadamli of DM3D Technology; P. Gradl, R. Hickman, J. Fikes of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center; M. Ogles of the National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME)-Auburn University; K. Wheeler, V. Hafiychuk, H. Hafiychuk of the NASA Ames Research Center

Runner-Up:

Case Study Title: Additive Manufacturing (AM) of Custom Applicators for Treating Skin Cancer Patients using Brachytherapy (PDF)

Team: Moti Raj Paudel, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Department of Medical Physics, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Harry Easton, Department of Medical Physics, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; and Ananth Ravi, Molli Surgical Inc.

Runner-Up:

Case Study Title: Design and Evaluation of an Additively Manufactured Plastic Scintillation Detector (PDF)

Team: B. W. Baker, P. J. Joyce, and M. E. Millet, United States Naval Academy

Runner-Up:

Case Study Title: A New Way of 3D Printing: Site-Specific Process-Parameter Modifications via Closed-Loop Control for Enabling Dynamic Bead Geometries and the Embossing Effect (PDF)

Team: B.T. Gibson, P. Mhatre, M.C. Borish, B. Richardson, J. Vaughan, L. Love, Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; C. Adkins, University of Tennessee Knoxville; T. Sundermann, Texas A&M University; W.C. Henry, C. Allison, GKN Aerospace USA

2020

Authors: Archish Muralidharan, Asais Uzcategui, Robert McLeod and Stephanie Bryant

Paper Title: Multi-material Grayscale Stereolithography of Gradient Composites with Deterministic Control over Integration (PDF)

Abstract: 3D printing enables integration of multiple materials with divergent properties through spatially patterned 3D-printed parts. While the spectrum of available materials affords large property variations, the interface between dissimilar materials is vulnerable to failure. The interface that forms between two materials is critical to the stability and function of a device. Hence, strategies are needed to predictably and precisely control integration. In this study, we explore integration of crosslinked polymers (hydrogels) for their widespread applications in 3D printing. The objectives were to establish a link between printing parameters to material properties to enable deterministic spatial control over integration via diffusion processes. By characterizing polymerization kinetics and mapping conversion to effective dose, it is possible to link printing parameters of light intensity and exposure time directly to conversion and ultimately to material properties of the printed resin. Applying this approach to grayscale exposures enabled spatial control over polymer mesh size, which then controls diffusion of the precursors of a second material. By precisely prescribing material properties, we demonstrate controlled integration of two heterogenous materials of different stiffness with interfacial regions that range from 10s of microns to millimeters, spatial defined patterns of integration and extended to layer-by-layer 3D printing using stereolithography.

2019

Authors: Michael C. Chang, Sean R. Niemi, Christopher Kabb, Thomas E. Angelini, Frank J. Bova, Scott A. Banks

Paper Title: Fast Robotic Soft Matter 3D Printing for Neurosurgical Phantoms Fabrication: Proof of Concept (PDF)

Abstract: The recent introduction of three-dimensional (3D) printing (also known as additive manufacturing) techniques into the field of medicine and neurosurgery has provided methods for fabricating patient-specific models for neurosurgical training, teaching, simulation, and pre-surgical planning. Soft matter technology, using a granular gel as the supporting material for 3D printing photopolymer hydrogels, now permits printing of anatomically complex models with realistic textures and tactile properties.

However, there hasn’t been a promising soft matter 3D printing system that could be used for fabricating neurosurgical patient-specific models. A major limitation is that current soft matter 3D printing technologies are unavailable to directly print these models with the same anatomical size in a timely fashion.

The aim of this project is to create a robotic soft matter 3D printing (RSM3DP) system using the soft matter 3D printing technology for fast fabrication of patient-specific models with anatomically realistic appearance and textures.

The prototype system consists of a SCARA (4-axis) robotic arm, two large-volume-closed-loop-pressure-controlled hydrogel dispensing pumps, and a high-level controller for coordinating and synchronizing the robot and the pumps. The method consists of path planning for single and multi-material 3D printing, fast motion control of the robotic arm, and precise hydrogel dispensing control. Models are directly fabricated from hydrogels extruded into the granular gel. It significantly improves the time and cost for fabricating similar sized models, making it feasible to fabricate neurosurgical anatomical models for surgeons to practice/prepare in advance of surgical cases, or for realistic teaching exercises.

2018

Authors: T.A. Le Néel, Centrale Nantes; P. Mognol, École Normale Supérieure de Rennes; and J.Y. Hascoët, Centrale Nantes

Paper Title: Design for Additive Manufacturing: Multi Material Sand Mold (PDF)

Abstract: Indirect additive manufacturing is an alternative way to produce metal parts by using foundry practices. This paper will detail a novel method that uses the additive manufacturing process of binder jetting with different powders such as silica, aluminum, alumina and steel to create a multimaterial mold. Multimaterial, 3D-printed molds and cores can improve parts’ design freedom; this methodology gives the ability to have a specific thermal conductivity at a specific location in order to remove or displace hot spots. The reduction of hot spots enables geometries that are more complex and are said to be impossible via traditional sandcasting. A binder-jetting 3D printer was developed to additively manufacture molds and core with an inorganic binder. Simulation software indicate material’s properties and design pertinence.

2017

Authors: Swati Chandran Thirumangalath, Scott Vader and Zachary Vader, Vader Systems

Paper Title: Liquid Metal 3D Printing: A Magnetohydrodynamic Approach (PDF)

Abstract: Liquid metal 3D printing has been of interest in the additive manufacturing industry since the 1990s because it's dramatically faster and cheaper than powder bed fusion for aluminum additive manufacturing. It is highly scalable to meet the demand for large/high-volume additive manufacturing processes. This paper describes the characteristics of the LM3DP process: Drop on-demand liquid metal printing using MagnetoJet technology (based on Magnetohydrodynamics and inkjet printing technology).

2016

Author: Kenneth Cooper and Phillip Steele of Marshall Space Flight Center, and Bo Cheng and Kevin Chou, PhD, of the University of Alabama

Paper Title: Contact-Free Support Structures for Part Overhangs in Powder-Bed Metal Additive Manufacturing (PDF)

Abstract: This paper elaborates the theory and implementation of heat-support structures that can reduce or eliminate overhang distortions, and yet require no or minimal post-processing for support structure removals.

2015

Author: James Novak, Queensland College of Art Lecturer and Industrial Design PhD Candidate, Griffith University

Paper Title: A Study of Bicycle Frame Customization Through the Use of Additive Manufacturing Technology (PDF)

Abstract: This paper reflects upon the development of a 3D-printed bicycle frame developed as part of the author’s university Honours project.

2014

Author: Jason B. Jones, PhD, Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies

Paper Title: The Synergies of Hybridizing CNC and Additive Manufacturing

Abstract: Since its inception, additive manufacturing (AM) has been dominated by standalone system architectures. This has fostered implementation of AM independent from other manufacturing technologies. With mirrored myopia, the CNC world has largely been an idle spectator to the advancements in additive manufacturing of metals during the last decade.

2013

Author: Michael Stern and Eli Cohen, MIT Lincoln Laboratory 

Paper Title: VAST AUAV (Variable AirSpeed Telescoping Additive Unmanned Air Vehicle)

Abstract: A low-cost, highly flexible and modular Variable AirSpeed Telescoping wing additive manufactured unmanned aerial vehicle (VAST AUAV) for atmospheric sensing is presented. A novel aerodynamic design was realized with a lightweight, efficient additive manufactured mechanical structure to meet performance requirements. The aerodynamic design features telescoping wings to permit both dash and loiter flight depending on the exposed wing area and airfoil.

2012

Authors: E. Magalini,¹ P. Robotti,¹ S. Stubinger,² B. Von Rechnberg,² S. Ferguson,³ P. Buma,⁴ E. Biemond,⁴ and E. Preve,¹ Eurocoating spa,¹ University of Zürich,² University Bern³ and Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center⁴

Paper Title: Biological Evidences of Benefits for Additive Manufactured Porous Titanium Foams 

Abstract: This paper presents some of the results obtained by Eurocoating with the help of external research partners (i.e., universities) in years of research activities performed on two specific additive manufacturing technologies used with Ti-6Al-4V: electron beam melting (EBM) or direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). In particular, the mechanical characterization of Ti-6Al-4V obtained with two technologies and in comparison with a conventional manufacturing method (i.e., wrought and annealing) is presented. Furthermore, in-vivo characterization data for several engineered trabecular highly porous surfaces suitable for bone colonization are given.

2011

Authors: Jan T. Sehrt, Dr.-Ing., and Gerd Witt, Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil., University of Duisburg-Essen

Paper Title: Part Management by Direct Integration of RFID Tags into Beam Melted Parts

Abstract: Today’s trend of the market requires innovative thoughts and further development of additive manufacturing processes such as beam melting. Especially with regard to the increasing diversity of different product versions with decreasing batch sizes at the same time the additive manufacturing itself becomes more and more important. In general, the additive manufacturing differs from conventional technologies by its layer wise and additive joining together material to a physical part instead of removing material. Because the trend of beam melting moves from prototype production to rapid manufacturing (production of end products with series characteristics), the identification and management of beam-melted parts can be achieved by using RFID technology. In this paper, feasibility studies for producing smart parts by the direct integration of RFID tags into beam-melted parts underneath the surface are investigated. It can be demonstrated that signals from RFID tags can be transmitted through dense metal material. This individual labeling of beam-melted parts leads to new possibilities, especially with regard to the quality management for rapid manufacturing purposes.

2010

Authors: Philip Kilburn,¹ Ian Halliday² and Jason Watson,³ 3T RPD Ltd.^1,2 and Nottingham University Hospital Trust³

Paper Title: Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) – The Future of Custom-Made Cranioplasty Design and Manufacture

Abstract: Cranial bone defects following craniotomy (bone removal) arise due to trauma, tumor removal, or more commonly, decompression craniotomy. Custom-made cranial implants are often used to replace missing bone. The traditional method of using self-curing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement molded by hand has been updated to new methods such as the use of cobalt chrome, heat-cured PMMA, and more recently, titanium (Ti) for its biocompatible performance. This paper investigates the manufacture of cranial plates using computer tomography (CT) data, 3D CAD and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) to reduce lead times for cranial bone implant manufacture and improve clinical outcome.

2009

Authors: Frank Liou,¹ PhD, and Mary Kinsella,² PhD, Missouri University of Science and Technology¹ and Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base²  

Paper Title: A Rapid Manufacturing Process for High Performance Precision Metal Parts

Abstract: High-performance metals, such as titanium alloys, nickel superalloys, tool steel, stainless steels, etc., can benefit from the hybrid manufacturing process described in this paper. Coupling the additive and the subtractive processes into a single workstation, the hybrid process can produce metal parts with accuracy. The surface quality of the final product is similar to the industrial milling capability. Therefore, the hybrid process is potentially a very competitive process for fabrication and repair of fully dense metallic parts with precision requirements. It will certainly impact the future rapid manufacturing industry. To achieve such a system, issues, including the understanding of the direct laser deposition process and the automated process planning of the hybrid manufacturing process, are presented.

2008

Authors: Jayanthi Parthasarathy, Binil Starly and Shivakumar Raman, University of Oklahoma

Paper Title: Design of Patient Specific Porous Titanium Implants for Craniofacial Applications

Abstract: Cranioplasty surgical procedures that are performed to correct defects of the skull require reconstruction of both form and function. Custom implants have gained importance due to their better performance over their generic counterparts owing to their precise adaptation to the region of implantation and reduction of surgical time and better cosmesis. Recent introduction of electron beam melting (EBM) has opened a new horizon for the possibility of direct fabrication of patient specific titanium prosthesis from CT scan data. This paper will discuss the design strategy for the fabrication of craniofacial implants using EBM technology, taking into account mechanical, biological and manufacturing constraints. Finite element analysis has been used to predict the effective mechanical properties of the porous structures.

2006

Authors: G.E. Knoppers, J. Dijkstra and W.P. van Vliet, TNO Science and Industry

Paper Title: The Design of Graded Material Objects

Abstract: Rapid manufacturing utilizes the application of different materials in parts by stacking a sequence of layers. Based on the requirements of the part, mixtures of materials, so-called functionally graded materials, can be used to compose the product functionality. This process depends completely on the availability of CAD information of the part geometry. Unfortunately, commercially available CAD systems do not allow the design of graded material structures. TNO developed a computer tool that enables the user to specify functionally graded materials. The system is based on a new approach to define the material composition at any point in the solid.

2005

Authors: Paul Jacobs, PhD, and Thomas J. Mueller, Express Pattern Inc

Paper Title: Are QuickCast Patterns Suitable for Limited Production?

Abstract: The QuickCast^™ build style was first developed by 3D Systems in June 1992. The goal was to use stereolithography (SL) to rapidly fabricate a resin pattern suitable for use in the investment casting process, but which did NOT require fabrication of wax pattern tooling. The SL QuickCast pattern would then be used directly in the investment casting process, yielding a metal prototype. If the process was successful, end users could quickly proceed from a concept to a CAD model to a functional metal prototype, eliminating the time-consuming and expensive step of building wax pattern tooling.

2004

Authors: Ryan Wicker, PhD;¹ Atul Ranade;¹ Francisco Medina;² and Jeremy Palmer,³University of Texas at Austin,¹ W.M. Keck Border Biomedical Manufacturing and Engineering²and Sandia National Laboratories³

Paper Title: Practical Considerations for Micro-Stereolithography of Embedded Micro-Channels

Abstract: In an effort to directly manufacture unique microfluidic devices with embedded complex and three-dimensional microchannels on the order of several microns to millimeters, issues associated with microfabrication using current commercially available stereolithography technology were investigated. Practical issues associated with the successful fabrication of embedded microchannels were divided into part preparation, part manufacture and post-cleaning with emphasis on channel geometry, size, number and orientation for successful microfabrication. Build issues investigated included accurate spatial registration of the build platform, building without base support and Z-stage position accuracy during the build. 

2003

Authors: Peter Regenfuss, Lars Hartwig, Sascha Klötzer, Robby Ebert and Horst Exner, University of Applied Sciences Mittweida

Paper Title: Microparts by a Novel Modification of Selective Laser Sintering

Abstract: Microparts with a structural resolution of <30 µm and aspect ratios of >10 have been generated by selective laser sintering. The technique includes sintering under conditions of vacuum or reduced shield gas pressure. A novel setup and raking procedure is employed. The material is processed by a 1,064 nm Nd-YAG laser. The procedure allows the workpieces to be generated from powders of high melting metals like tungsten as well as lower melting metals such as aluminum and copper. Contingent on the parameters, the generated bodies are either firmly attached to the substrate or can be dissevered by a nondestructive method.