| Title: | Tailoring the mechanical response of 3D-printed polymer metamaterials for biomechanical customization: a predictive manufacturing framework |
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| Authors: | ID Hanželič, Blaž (Author)
ID Plesec, Vasja (Author)
ID Kaljun, Jasmin (Author)
ID Harih, Gregor (Author) |
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| Files: |  https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/10/4/133
 jmmp-10-00133.pdf (5,44 MB)
MD5: F09C1DFF94DFBE780CB317F93053FFD0
https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/10/4/133
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| Language: | English |
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| Work type: | Article |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: | FS - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
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| Abstract: | This study presents a predictive manufacturing framework for customizing the biomechanical response of a 3D printed ergonomic armrest based on relaxed Voronoi metamaterials. A double curved armrest geometry was combined with parametric lattice generation, stereolithography printing in BioMed Elastic 50A resin, uniaxial compression testing of cylindrical lattice specimens, and homogenized finite element simulations using a CT derived forearm model under 15, 30, and 45 N loading. The results showed that both cell size and ligament thickness strongly affected compressive behavior, with smaller cells and thicker ligaments producing higher stiffness and earlier densification. Among the uniform configurations selected for simulation, the E-9-1.5 lattice provided the most balanced response, maintaining contact pressure below about 70 kPa up to 45 N, whereas the stiffer E-7-1.5 configuration exceeded 160 kPa and the E-7-1 configuration surpassed 100 kPa at higher load. Based on these findings, a functionally graded Voronoi concept was developed to combine a more compliant central zone with a stiffer peripheral support region while preserving conformity to the complex armrest boundary. Overall, the results show that relaxed Voronoi lattices offer a computationally efficient route toward anatomically conforming and mechanically tunable cushioning interfaces. |
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| Keywords: | biomechanical customization, Voronoi metamaterials, FEA, stereolithography, ergonomic armrest |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Submitted for review: | 20.03.2026 |
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| Article acceptance date: | 15.04.2026 |
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| Publication date: | 17.04.2026 |
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| Publisher: | MDPI |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | 19 str. |
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| Numbering: | [Vol.] 10, [iss.] 4, [article no.] 133 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DKUM-97853  |
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| UDC: | 331.1:531 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2504-4494 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 275792131 |
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| DOI: | 10.3390/jmmp10040133 |
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| Publication date in DKUM: | 20.04.2026 |
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| Views: | 215 |
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| Downloads: | 6 |
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| Metadata: |    |
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| Categories: | Misc.
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