@article{StichelLaumerLinnenweberetal., author = {Stichel, Thomas and Laumer, Tobias and Linnenweber, Tim and Amend, Philipp and Roth, Stephan}, title = {Mass Flow Characterization of Selective Deposition of Polymer Powders with Vibrating Nozzles for Laser Beam Melting of Multi-material Components}, series = {Physics Procedia}, volume = {83}, journal = {Physics Procedia}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam [u.a.]}, issn = {1875-3892}, doi = {10.1016/j.phpro.2016.08.099}, pages = {947 -- 953}, abstract = {The generation of multi-material components by laser beam melting (LBM) is a challenge which requires the invention of new coating devices for preparation of arbitrary powder patterns. One solution is the usage of vibration-controlled nozzles for selective deposition of polymer powders. Powder flow can be initiated by vibration enabling a start-stop function without using any mechanical shutter. In this report, the delivery of polymer powder by vibrating nozzles is investigated with respect to their application in LBM machines. Therefore, a steel nozzle attached to a piezo actor and a weighing cell is used in order to measure the stability and time-dependence of the powder mass flow upon vibration excitation with the usage of different kind of powder formulations. The results show that precompression of the powder inside the nozzle by vibration excitation is essential to realize a reliable start-stop function with reproducible discharge cyles and to prevent a initial flush of powder flow. Moreover, the use of different powder materials showed that mass flow is even possible with powders which are not optimized regarding flowability, but is readily enhanced with a factor of 2 to 3 by admixing Aerosil® fumed silica.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{StichelAmendLaumeretal., author = {Stichel, Thomas and Amend, Philipp and Laumer, Tobias and Roth, Stephan}, title = {Multi-material deposition of polymer powders with vibrating nozzles inside laser beam melting machines}, series = {6th International Conference on Additive Technologies - iCAT 2016 : proceedings : N{\"u}rnberg, Germany, 29.-30. November 2016}, booktitle = {6th International Conference on Additive Technologies - iCAT 2016 : proceedings : N{\"u}rnberg, Germany, 29.-30. November 2016}, publisher = {Interesansa - zavod}, address = {Ljubljana}, abstract = {The generation of multi-material components using Laser beam melting (LBM) is a challenge which requires the invention of new coating devices for the preparation of arbitrary powder patterns. One solution is the usage of vibration-controlled nozzles for selective deposition of polymer powders. Powder flow can be initiated by vibration even when using powders with low flowability. In this report, the selective deposition of polymer powder by vibrating nozzles is investigated with respect to their application in LBM machines. Therefore, a steel nozzle attached to a piezo actor is applied, whereas the nozzle itself features internal channels which allow the precise control of the powder temperature using heat transfer oil. The setup is used to study the influence of temperature on the powder mass flow. The results show that, next to the vibration mode, the temperature strongly influences the powder mass flow which is done by affecting the moisture and thus the particle-particle adhesion forces. This shows that a precise control of the powder temperature inside the nozzle is required in order to achieve a constant mass flow and thus a successful application of vibrating nozzles inside LBM machines.}, language = {en} } @article{RenkawitzWeberDullienetal., author = {Renkawitz, Tobias and Weber, Tim A. and Dullien, Silvia and Woerner, Michael and Dendorfer, Sebastian and Grifka, Joachim and Weber, Markus}, title = {Leg length and offset differences above 5 mm after total hip arthroplasty are associated with altered gait kinematics}, series = {Gait \& Posture}, volume = {vol. 49}, journal = {Gait \& Posture}, doi = {10.1016/j.gaitpost.2016.07.011}, pages = {196 -- 201}, abstract = {We aimed to investigate the relationship between postoperative leg length/offset (LL/OS) reconstruction and gait performance after total hip arthroplasty (THA). In the course of a prospective randomized controlled trial, 60 patients with unilateral hip arthrosis received cementless THA through a minimally-invasive anterolateral surgical approach. One year post-operatively, LL and global OS restoration were analyzed and compared to the contralateral hip on AP pelvic radiographs. The combined postoperative limb length/OS reconstruction of the operated hip was categorized as restored (within 5 mm) or non-restored (more than 5 mm reduction or more than 5 mm increment). The acetabular component inclination, anteversion and femoral component anteversion were evaluated using CT scans of the pelvis and the femur. 3D gait analysis of the lower extremity and patient related outcome measures (HHS, HOOS, EQ-5D) were obtained pre-operatively, six months and twelve months post-operatively by an observer blinded to radiographic results. Component position of cup and stem was comparable between the restored and non-restored group. Combined LL and OS restoration within 5 mm resulted in higher Froude number (p < 0.001), normalized walking speed (p < 0.001) and hip range-of-motion (ROM) (p = 0.004) during gait twelve months postoperatively, whereas gait symmetry was comparable regardless of LL and OS reconstruction at both examinations. Clinical scores did not show any relevant association between the accuracy of LL or OS reconstruction and gait six/twelve months after THA. In summary, postoperative LL/OS discrepancies larger than 5 mm relate to unphysiological gait kinematics within the first year after THA. DRKS00000739, German Clinical Trials Register.}, language = {en} } @article{PutzerAuerMalpicaetal., author = {Putzer, Michael and Auer, Stefan and Malpica, William and S{\"u}ß, Franz and Dendorfer, Sebastian}, title = {A numerical study to determine the effect of ligament stiffness on kinematics of the lumbar spine during flexion}, series = {BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders}, volume = {17}, journal = {BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders}, number = {95}, doi = {10.1186/s12891-016-0942-x}, abstract = {Background There is a wide range of mechanical properties of spinal ligaments documented in literature. Due to the fact that ligaments contribute in stabilizing the spine by limiting excessive intersegmental motion, those properties are of particular interest for the implementation in musculoskeletal models. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of varying ligament stiffness on the kinematic behaviour of the lumbar spine. Methods A musculoskeletal model with a detailed lumbar spine was modified according to fluoroscopic recordings and corresponding data files of three different subjects. For flexion, inverse dynamics analysis with a variation of the ligament stiffness matrix were conducted. The influence of several degrees of ligament stiffness on the lumbar spine model were investigated by tracking ligament forces, disc forces and resulting moments generated by the ligaments. Additionally, the kinematics of the motion segments were evaluated. Results An increase of ligament stiffness resulted in an increase of ligament and disc forces, whereas the relative change of disc force increased at a higher rate at the L4/L5 level (19 \%) than at the L3/L4 (10 \%) level in a fully flexed posture. The same behaviour applied to measured moments with 67 \% and 45 \%. As a consequence, the motion deflected to the lower levels of the lumbar spine and the lower discs had to resist an increase in loading. Conclusions Higher values of ligament stiffness over all lumbar levels could lead to a shift of the loading and the motion between segments to the lower lumbar levels. This could lead to an increased risk for the lower lumbar parts.}, language = {en} }