Benchtop Selective Laser Sintering 3D printer for rehabilitation engineering and robotics

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Context: The requested equipment is a benchtop selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printer. The co-applicants already have access to 3D printers that rely on other technologies, such as fused deposition modeling (FDM) and stereolithography (SLA). However, they reach their limits as our projects progress through technological readiness levels; although they are appropriate for basic proof of concept, parts generated using these technologies are brittle and unsuitable for mechanical purposes. Different options are available: 1) Machining allows prototyping of robust parts; however, it is unsuitable for many projects (e.g., prosthesis) due to weight, feasible shapes, stiffness, and appearance. 2) Plastic injection or molding fills a gap between 3D printing and machining but is not cost-effective for a research context; because of the costs involved, this method is suitable for the production of parts in large quantities (10,000 or more). 3) SLS printing enables production of parts with excellent mechanical characteristics, comparable to injection-molded parts, and can be produced at low cost. As an alternative to acquiring an SLS printer, a sub-option would be to use 3D printing services that print and ship parts. However, this would lead to important delays in the design process (due to shipping time and minimum order requirements) and important costs (due to startup costs and markup). For the high volume of prints we require, acquiring an SLS printer is much more economical. Projects: The SLS 3D printer will be used several times a week in many projects, including 1) assistive technologies (eating assistive devices, arm supports, exoskeletons, orthoses and prosthesis), 2) work injury prevention devices, 3) rehabilitation intervention (robotic devices), and 4) collaborative robots and novel parallel robots. Within these projects, an iterative user-centered methodology will lead to many prototypes (3 to 5) per project. Further, for categories 1 to 3, clinical validation is required to ensure technology's validity and credibility and necessitates production of numerous prototypes (10 to 30 per project) Impact: The SLS printer will allow to realize several projects that target important social aspects, namely the assistance of people living with disabilities and older adults. The prototypes that students will develop using the requested SLS printer will positively impact many aspects of the lives of end users. It is urgent that our team acquire an SLS printer. Failure to do so will lead to important delays in HQP projects and publication. Not having access to this technology would also be a significant detriment to our team's competitiveness, making it difficult to obtain grants due to a lack of preliminary data. It would also lead to increased costs and prevent HQP from being trained to work with this technology, learning to independently operate SLS printers firsthand, and developing advanced prototyping skills that are in high demand in industry.