Open AccessFractal algorithm for 3D‐printed continuous porous scaffold design
Author(s) -
Zhao Zongyue,
Chen Xiaojun
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the journal of engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2051-3305
DOI - 10.1049/joe.2018.9404
Subject(s) - porosity , fractal , scaffold , stability (learning theory) , algorithm , computer science , adaptability , materials science , mathematics , composite material , mathematical analysis , machine learning , ecology , database , biology
In practice, 3D modelling software, such as UG and Pro/E , are commonly adopted to design porous scaffolds within given contours. However, this manual method is quite time‐consuming and complicated with poor adaptability. In this study, a novel facial algorithm is proposed for smart scaffold design. By forming a dendritic fractal network, the second‐order uniformity and complete connectivity of pores are guaranteed while considering the axial symmetry of certain orthopaedic implants, and the algorithm is adapted for concave and hollow contour shapes. Through experiments, the stability of the algorithm and the characteristics of the two vital performance indicators, i.e. porosity Pand surface area ratio R , are studied. The results show that P and Rof the generated model are insensitive to the shape of the input model, which proves the stability of authors’ method, and the maximum available porosity reaches 78%, higher than the maximum effective porosity found in the literature.