1 Hayden Benjamin Aria S.

Halliday English 106 4/11/14

F. Rengier, A. Mehndiratta, H. von Tengg-Kobligk, C. M. Zechmann, F. L. Giesel, 3D Printing based on Imaging Data. 15 May 2010. ASME. 15 April 2014. This paper I chose to write about is about 3D Printing Based on Imaging Data. This writing talks about the current uses of 3D printing as implants and learning tools. The future possibilities of 3D printing are also discussed along side the current limitations of the process. With the advancement of imaging technology in hospitals, doctors and surgeons have had the ability to print out three-dimensional models of what they see in the human body. These models can help explain the medical issues of a patient and can provide a quick and easy way to help prepare surgeons for work. 3D printing in the medical field could be a big part of the future.

Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) is very similar to Mechanical Engineering; the main difference between the two is that MET is more hands on. Craig Zehrung, a graduate student and course instructor in the MET program at Purdue said that, Essentially we (MET majors) deal with anything that is designed, manufactured, and implemented. Lately, a big part of design and manufacturing is a process known as 3D printing, or rapid prototyping. This allows for small parts to be constructed based on a Computer Aided Design (CAD) model, usually out of polymers or select ceramics. Having the ability to create three-dimensional prototypes has serious advantages for creating new products for businesses. Recently though, businesses arent the only ones using this process, but rather the Medical field has found use for 3D printing. F. Rengier, A. Mehndiratta, H. von Tengg-Kobligk, C. M. Zechmann, and F. L. Giesel all wrote a

2 paper on this topic for the Department of Radiology in the German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg. The article is organized into six sections. These sections are the Introduction, Generation of 3D Objects, Medical Applications of 3D Objects, Discussions, Limitations, and the Conclusion. The authors of this paper begin by establishing that the medical applications of 3D printing is a widely known and discussed topic throughout the Engineering and Technology communities. This relates the authors way of claiming centrality in the community of MET. This paper also reviews previous research and uses of rapid prototyping as bone or tissue implants, and teaching tools. The authors also note that this form of production has also been proved to improve, diagnostic quality and help in pre-surgical planning, by forming three-dimensional models of organs and body parts. Though the sources are well cited at the end of the paper, there is no criticism or mention to another experts theories. 3D Printing Based on Imaging Data does not establish any arguments, but expands on current research and explains it further. Large proof of the popularity of this topic is the fact that the authors cited fiftyfive sources at the end of the paper. Thirty-three of these sources were based on rapid prototyping and its medical uses. This shows that they used previous items of research in the paper, as the CARS model states. The other sources are related to 3D imaging advancements and the anatomy of the body. None of these are referred to throughout the paper though. The sources in the paper simply show that the paper is based on fact and they show where all the information can be found. Though the authors of this article give the reader an idea of each field that they work in, they do not go very far to prove their expertise in the area of discussion. Specific facts are not cited in the paper, making it

3 difficult to know whether an argument made in the paper is in some way original, or restated from different literature. Citing sources throughout the paper could help to improve its quality, even though all the information is provided at the end. It is very important that this paper be based on solid facts and research because it is informative writing. Based on the sources they use, the authors are combining information from multiple places for this article. For the most part the paper is without tone because it is trying to convey information. This fact shows that the purpose of this article is to condense information into an easily understood article. It is very organized and provides plenty of explanation of each section, but it does not go into deep specifics. For example, when speaking of different forms of 3D printing, one sentence of explanation is all that is used. The audience that would be receiving this information would most likely be those in the medical field and those in the engineering or technology fields. It is possible that academics could find value in this, but it is not a very complicated article and does not present any new, mind-bending arguments to be considered. Therefore the audience does not necessarily need to be experts, but instead they could be novices or students planning to advance into one of the fields mentioned above. 3D Printing Based on Imaging Data is organized into six sections that make it an easy read overall. Each section adds to the purpose of the paper, which is to discuss the uses of 3D printing as a medical tool. To read this paper, it is important that one has basic knowledge of rapid prototyping. To assist with understanding the paper, a group of pictures are given so as to show examples of how 3D printing has already been used. The overall design of this paper is for teaching of the new uses for this production method.

4 With students in the MET and ME major, in the future this could become very important for them. This would happen if the creation of three-dimensional objects became more central to surgical needs. 3D printing is a process involved greatly in the design process, and a little in the production process, of products. Exploring its uses has ultimately just begun and these uses could be important. The paper informs the reader of the limitations of the machines, which create these objects, and makes clear that there are still barriers to overcome. It is almost as if the paper is telling the reader that it could be them who could help overcome those barriers. This analysis of the uses of 3D printing is a very common talked about topic in the field of MET. By simply writing the paper, the authors inserted them into the conversation. However, the authors specifically insert themselves when they talk about the future possibilities of rapid prototyping. Stating what advancements need to be made indicates, such as increasing size of the productions and increasing efficiency. At Purdue University there are over six 3D printers in the engineering and technology departments. The printing of three-dimensional objects could be the future of manufacturing and some medical implants and the Mechanical Engineers and the Mechanical Engineering Technicians will be in charge.