Review of current progress on additive manufacturing of medical implants and natural/synthetic fibre reinforced composites

Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing technique, is a technology that uses computerized information to generate three-dimensional solid objects. These objects are produced by feed-stocking and fusing materials layer by layer. Compared to conventional manufacturing, additive manufacturing can make geometrical shapes that are very complex within a short time with less material wastage. Remarkable applications of manufacturing technology are found in automobile, aerospace, medicine, and natural/synthetic fibre-reinforced composites. Manufactured parts are fabricated using metals, ceramics, and mainly polymers or composites. Advancements in research have recently been implemented to optimize the process. This review focuses on the research progress on current methods applied to optimize 3D printed biopolymer medical implants and natural/synthetic fibre-reinforced composites. The objective of this article is to review new opportunities to produce multifunctional materials and suggest solutions to solve persisting challenges in additive manufacturing of medical implants using natural/synthetic fiber reinforced composites. The influence of process parameters on output performance measures, as well as the modelling and simulation techniques applied, are critically established in this paper. Current 3D printing processes and technologies, including the status and future of additive manufacturing, are also critically presented. Finally, challenges and research opportunities for improved high-performing and less costly printed parts are also illustrated.