Machining of a total shoulder arthroplasty prosthesis

Abstract

Nowadays, joint diseases that requireprosthetic replacement are gaining shocking proportions. Prosthesis’ are rarely tailored to each patient,which can cause complications, leading to frequent revision arthroplasty. Therefore, it is important to develop methods and machining strategies that provide a fast and effective response to this issue. In the present work, a two-part prosthesis, humeral and glenoid,was machined with the final application in a shoulder arthroplasty. Initially, each three-dimensional component was designedusing a CAD software. Afterwards, using a CAM software, it was developed the machining strategies that will offer better response according to some parameters, such as the cutting tool life, machining time and the finishing of
the obtained surfaces. The work was finished with roughness measurement of machined components before and after polishing. It has been shown that it is possible to manufacture the components used in total shoulder arthroplasty with a good dimensional accuracy, with suitable machining times and a good surface finish of the components