Automating the process of designing and manufacturing polymeric models of anatomical structures of mandible with Industry 4.0 convention

Abstract

An example of the application of the Industry 4.0 concept in the process of designing and producing polymeric models of mandible anatomical structures has been presented here. Automating the process of making surgical templates based on the Industry 4.0 structure is aimed at quickly providing physicians with ready-made tools to improve the performance of surgical procedures. Integrating the reconstruction engineering (RE), computer aided design (CAD) and incremental rapid prototyping methods (RP) in the process of designing and manufacturing anatomical models may not only shorten the preparation time of surgical template, but also increase the accuracy of its production. On the basis of the data provided by the F. Chopin Regional Hospital No. 1 in Rzeszow, 14 patients with mandible injuries were examined. The obtained methodology has confirmed that the application of the Industry 4.0 concept in the process of making models of anatomical structures can bring many benefits.