The challenge of repeatable manufacturing and the influence on the anchoring strength at the example of press-fit acetabular cups

Abstract

In the present study, the SLM process and Ti6Al4V were used to produce an acetabular cup design suitable for experimental purposes. The acetabular cups with load-bearing, open-pored structures on the acetabular surface were evaluated experimentally to evaluate the anchoring strength. A microscopic measurement was performed to evaluate the manufacturing accuracy and the press fit. The characterization of the global and local geometric conditions was performed using Micro-CT. While the press-fit determined by microscopic evaluation shows no correlation to the different anchorage strengths, the geometric deviation from the design specification in the press-fit area determined by micro-CT shows a significant correlation.