What is 3D Printing?3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file.
Stakeholders
Level 1: Students and clientsLevel 2: Occupational therapistsLevel 3: Other healthcare professionals: rehabilitation engineer, prosthetists, and medical technicians
Stakeholders● Level 1:
○ Rebecca Paska, current student of VCU OT department: OTS
● Level 2:○ Dr. Tony Gentry, Associate Professor○ Dr. Al Copolillo, FAOTA Associate Professor & Chairman
● Level 3○ Benjamin Salatin, Rehabilitation Engineer
■ McGuire VA Medical Center○ Melissa Oliver, OTR/L, AT Program Coordinator
■ McGuire VA Medical Center○ Kristen Ragland, OTR/L
Interview Analysis
● Potential for 3D printing and OT● Possible threats for 3D printing● Recommendations
Potential of 3D Printing and OT
● Fast ● Less time/energy/materials● Customizable● Clients can be actively involved● Maintaining and buy materials is relatively cheap● More durable (e.g. splints)● More aesthetically pleasing/professional look● Create brand new item● Modify existing item
Possible Threats of 3D Printing
● Intimidation● Time/productivity● Liability concerns● Cost of purchasing a printer● Reimbursement● No community of OTs using 3D printing● No resources for OTs
Recommendations
● As 3D printing becomes more accessible, OTs should be at the forefront
● Adaptive equipment● Introduce 3D printing earlier in one’s career
Potential Solutions● Present 3D printing at a conference● Offer 3D printing as CE● Create instructional website and open source
database for OTs● Create a research project to make 3D printing
EBP● Incorporate 3D printing into entry level curriculum
Present 3D Printing at a Conference
Pros:● Bring awareness
to 3D printing● Spark interest
Cons:● Gets people
thinking, but not “doing”
Offer 3D Printing as CEPros: ● Educate experienced
OTs familiar in creating adaptive equipment
Cons:● Likely take more than
1 day● May be expensive to
attend● May be intimidating
for those not tech-savvy
Website and Database For OTsPros:● Provides arena for
therapists to share ideas and collaborate on new designs
● Helps therapists new to 3D printing
Cons:● Does not solve the
problem of exposing therapists to 3D printing or help those who do not have access to a printer
● Limited community of OTs using 3D printing
● No time, energy, or knowledge to create and maintain
Research ProjectPros:● 3D printing -> EBP● More buy-in by
therapists
Cons:
● Apply for funding● Search for faculty
advisor to lead research● Securing research
participants● Does not equip
therapists with skills needed to use 3D printing
Incorporate Into Entry-Level Curriculum
Pros:
● Students can share knowledge in fieldwork placements and new job settings
● Most programs have assistive technology or activities course
● Students have more time than working therapists
Cons:● Program must
purchase a printer● Secure a 3D printing
expert to teach the class/lab
● Find space in the curriculum to add the class
SWOTStrengths:
● Expose students earlier in their career
● Time● VCU OT dept has connections with
the assistive technology dept at McGuire VA Hospital
● OT faculty and students have experience designing and making adaptive equipment
● Consumer grade printer is affordable
● VCU adds ~42 students to their program annually
Weaknesses:
● Initial cost of purchasing printer● Subsequent cost of printer
maintenance● Faculty members need to be
trained and comfortable operating/troubleshooting the printer/software
● “Added benefit” vs. requirement
SWOTOpportunities:
● Few MSOT programs offer 3D printing as part of their curriculums
● 3D printing has huge implications for OT but few practicing therapists have been exposed
● Attract top applicants through marketing this technology
● Richmond area has 3D printing vendors for maintenance and support
Threats:
● Limited community/network of OTs using 3D printing
● VCU OT dept has limited funds● Other programs/schools are
looking at incorporating 3D printing into their curriculums
Budget TableItem Initial Costs Cost Per Lab
Makerbot Replicator Desktop Printer (5th Gen) $2,899.00 -
Smart Extruder for Makerbot Replicator $175.00- -
10-Pack Large Filament Bundle(1 - Large PLA Filament Spool)
$430.00($48.00)
$30.24
Build Plate Tape (10 sheets) $9.99 $0.99
3-Year MakerCare Protection Plan $1,105 -
Jump Drives x2 (optional) $10.00 -
Cubify iSense 3D Scanner (optional) $499.99 -
Tinkercad Software FREE -
Total $5,128.98 $31.19
Next Steps● Pursue donation of a 3D printer to
VCU OT Department● Explore options for fieldwork
opportunities that could include 3D printing for interested students
● Consider renting printer to become acclimated to the device
● Meeting with Dr. Copolillo, Dr. Gentry, and Ben Salatin to discuss course content
ReferencesNicholls, D. (2014). What makes support structures important? Retrieved fromhttp://3dprintingsystems.com/what-makes-support-structure-important/
Ragland, K. From sci-fi to reality: using 3D printing in your OT practice [Prezi presentation]. Retrieved from Prezi online website https://prezi.com/zfqu-jgzdqyw/tnota-conference-2014/
3D Printing for Beginners. (2015). 3D modeling tools. Retrieved from http://3dprintingforbeginners.com/software-tools/
3D Printing. (May 2014). 3D printing basics: the beginner’s free guide. Retrieved fromhttp://3dprintingindustry.com/3d-printing-basics-free-beginners-guide/
3D Printing. (2015). What is 3D printing? Retrieved from http://3dprinting.com/what-is-3d-printing/
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