RAPID prototyping, PHYSICIANS, REVERSE engineering, DIAGNOSTIC imaging, IMAGE processing, and NEUROSURGERY

Purpose - Aims to investigate medical rapid prototyping (medical RP) technology applications and methods based on reverse engineering (RE) and medical imaging data. Design/methodology/approach - Medical image processing and RE are applied to construct three-dimensional models of anatomical structures, from which custom-made (personalized) medical applications are developed. Findings - The investigated methods were successfully used for design and manufacturing of biomodels, surgical aid tools, implants, medical devices and surgical training models. More than 40 medical RP applications were implemented in Europe and Asia since 1999. Research limitations/implications - Medical RP is a multi-discipline area. It involves in many human resources and requires high skills and know-how in both engineering and medicine. In addition, medical RP applications are expensive, especially for low-income countries. These practically limit its benefits and applications in hospitals. Practical implications - In order to transfer medical RP into hospitals successfully, a good link and close collaboration between medical and engineering sites should be established. Moreover, new medical applications should be developed in the way that does not change the traditional approaches that medical doctors (MD) were trained, but provides solutions to improve the diagnosis and treatment quality. Originality/value - The presented state-of-the-art medical RP is applied for diagnosis and treatment in the following medical areas: cranio-maxillofacial and dental surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, orthosis and tissue engineering. The paper is useful for MD (radiologists and surgeons), biomedical and RP/CAD/CAM engineers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MANUFACTURING industries, SUPPLY chains, MARKETS, GLOCALIZATION, and THREE-dimensional printing

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and classify the available types of 3D printing services, with the scope of determining the potential implications that such services could have on the supply chains of manufacturing firms and creating a research agenda for future studies.Design/methodology/approach The authors review the current literature on the potential supply chain impacts of 3D printing and evaluate the 3D printing services provided by 404 firms in selected European markets.Findings The results show that 3D printing services form a rapidly evolving industry, with new service providers entering the market on a regular basis. Evidence from the European markets investigated suggests that services can be classified into three distinct categories: generative, facilitative and selective services.Research limitations/implications This paper represents an attempt to take stock of a fast-moving and potentially paradigm-shifting market. The implications are dynamic as new applications, business models and techniques are continually being developed. Further studies are required to substantiate the findings.Practical implications Three categories of 3D printing services that could significantly impact supply chain configurations of the future are proposed. Several issues specific to 3D printing services raised in the research agenda require further scrutiny and substantiation before services can reach their full potential.Originality/value This paper provides an overview of the growing 3D printing services industry, highlighting how the market might change as additive manufacturing technology matures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NEW product development -- Marketing, CONSUMER attitudes, PRODUCT acceptance, CONSUMER preferences, RAPID prototyping, RESEARCH & development, and MARKETING research

Abstract: The introduction of new products is widely recognized as one of the most important marketing activities of companies. Nevertheless, an intensive new product strategy is risky, as many new products fail in their first year. The purpose of this article is to increase our understanding of the factors affecting the first-year consumer acceptance of new products. To study this, we use two metrics of acceptance, viz., the first-year level of purchases and the first-year trend in purchases of new products at the level of the individual household. We develop hypotheses pertaining to the effect of product, competitive environment, and consumer factors on these two metrics of consumer acceptance. Our data comprise the sales in the first four quarters after introduction for 301 new CPGs launched in the U.K. (74 CPG introductions), France (104), Germany (67), and Spain (56), using Europanel household panels in each country, involving a total of over 16,000 households. The extensive data used in this study provide a strong test of the generalizability of the findings. The empirical results support the hypotheses and allow us to derive cross-national empirical generalizations, as well as to identify differences regarding factors underlying new product acceptance. Particularly noteworthy is that, across all four countries, acceptance of new products is systematically affected in the same way by consumer characteristics. This implies that these variables can be used for national, as well as for international, market segmentation. In addition to recommendations for pan-European segmentation strategies, the results allow us to make suggestions for the R&D process and local marketing activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]