title: Accuracy of medical models made by consumer-grade fused deposition modelling printers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Additive manufacturing using fused deposition modelling (FDM) has become widely available with the development of consumer-grade three-dimensional printers. To be useful in maxillofacial surgery, models created by these printers must accurately reproduce the craniofacial skeleton.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the accuracy of consumer-grade FDM printers in the production of medical models compared with industrial selective laser sintering (SLS) printers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computed tomography images of a dry skull were manipulated using OsiriX (OsiriX, Switzerland) and ZBrush (Pixologic, USA) software. Models were fabricated using a consumer-grade FDM printer at 100 μm, 250 μm and 500 μm layer heights and an industrial SLS printer. Seven linear measurements were made on the models and compared with the corresponding dry skull measurements using an electronic caliper.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A dimensional error of 0.30% was observed for the SLS models and 0.44%, 0.52% and 1.1% for the 100 μm, 250 μm and 500 μm FDM models, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consumer-grade FDM printers can produce medical models with sufficient dimensional accuracy for use in maxillofacial surgery. With this technology, surgeons can independently produce low-cost maxillofacial models in an office setting.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Petropolis
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kozan
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sigurdson
keywords: Craniofacial; Precision; Preoperative models; Rapid prototyping