Title: Fabrication of a biopsy meso-forceps prototype with incremental sheet forming variants

Authors: M. Luisa Garcia-Romeu; Rogelio Pérez-Santiago; Isabel Bagudanch

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction Department, University of Girona, Girona, Spain. Av. Lluis Santalo s/n, 17071 Girona, Spain ' Innovation and Technology, Metalsa SA, Miguel Alemán Road, Km. 16.5 No. 100, Apodaca, Nuevo León, 66600 Mexico ' Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction Department, University of Girona, Girona, Spain. Av. Lluis Santalo s/n, 17071 Girona, Spain

Abstract: This study aimed at developing an application and comparison of performance between the two main incremental sheet forming (ISF) variants, single-point incremental forming (SPIF) and two-point incremental forming (TPIF), on a scaled prototype of a biopsy micro forceps (BMF). Experimental tests were carried out initially with the SPIF set-up. Rupture of specimens and low accuracy of them due to bending of the material led to the more complicated TPIF variant. Prior to the physical support tool construction, FEM simulations allowed validating the precision gains. After several adjustments to the tool-path in the new configuration, the BMF was successfully manufactured by TPIF on AA1050-H24 and AISI 304 05 mm thick. Therefore, the presented results demonstrate the feasibility to use ISF for the rapid prototyping of sheet metal medical devices.

Keywords: biopsy micro forceps; BMF; incremental sheet forming; ISF; single-point incremental forming; SPIF; two-point incremental forming; TPIF; rapid prototyping; sheet metal medical devices; FEM; finite element method; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMS.2013.056451

International Journal of Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems, 2013 Vol.6 No.3, pp.242 - 253

Received: 22 Aug 2012
Accepted: 29 Jan 2013
Published online: 12 Jul 2014 *

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