This review, while affirming the evolution and the good results found with the actual approaches, emphasizes the negative aspects that still subsist. Thus, it shows that mandible reconstruction is not a closed issue. On the contrary, it remains as a research field where new findings could have a direct positive impact on patients' life quality. The identification of the persistent problems reveals the characteristics to be considered in a new prosthetic device. This could overcome the current difficulties and result in more comfortable solutions. Medical teams have the responsibility to keep patients informed about the predictable problems related with each elected approach, even understanding that a perfect reconstruction is a secondary goal when compared with maintenance of life.

No abstract

Hole-flanging by incremental sheet forming is developing as an innovative metal forming technology for flexible small batch-production of cylindrical or conical flanges in blanks with pre-cut holes. The process is seen as an alternative to hole-flanging by conventional press-working due to significant cost savings through the replacement of complex press-tools by simple dieless forming apparatuses and to widespread belief that the limiting forming ratio of hole-flanging by incremental sheet forming is always higher than that of hole-flanging by conventional press-working. This article focuses on the aforementioned assumption and investigates the influence of material failure by necking and fracture on the limiting forming ratio. The experimental work is performed in a CNC machining center and a hydraulic press equipped with apparatuses for multi-stage single point incremental forming and conventional press-tooling, and the strain loading paths resulting from each forming process are determined by circle grid analysis. Results in Aluminium AA1050-H111 and Titanium (grade 2) blanks demonstrate that contrary to what has often been said in the literature there are process operating conditions leading to higher limiting forming ratio of hole-flanging by conventional press-working than by incremental sheet forming due to closeness of the forming limit curve and fracture forming limit line in the principal strain space.

No abstract

Reduce the gap between production engineers and the medical community by presenting a state-of-the-art manufacturing technology to produce low-cost, patient-specific medical implants.