Reflection- Learning Launch

Challenge and Selection

Learning Launch is an experiment meant to quickly test an idea and a prototype. One

of the challenge that our team noticed is that when surgeons perform a surgery they find it  difficult to identify the defect from the scans such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)  and CT (Computed Tomography). The usage of 3D printing in pre-operative surgical  planning was prevalent in countries such as America, United Kingdom but the cost of the  operation was much higher when compared to India. Hence the idea of printing patient  specific biological 3D models with dual material was put forward which would help the  surgeons easily identify the defect in the organ. Our team went through a series of design  thinking activities/tools to implement the idea and now we are ready to try the learning  launch tool.

Application

In our first learning launch, we converted the series of scan images into a 3D model

which can be 3D Printed using MATLAB and then printed the 3D model using a Cartesian  3D printer. The technology used is Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM). We modified the  single extruder printer into a dual extruder printer to print dual materials. The Cartesian  printer had lot of vibrations and the quality of the output was low when compared to the  expected output.

In our second learning launch, the same process of converting the scan images into a

3D model was done but instead of Cartesian 3D Printer the other model of Delta printer was  used. This type of printer was selected because this type has lesser vibrations and this would  increase the quality of the product. This type also had advantages that the printing time was  lesser when compared to the Cartesian printer. The quality of the product was good and this  would definitely help the surgeons.

Insights

By using the design thinking tools, our team identified the ideas and decided to check

the reliability of these ideas using the learning launch tool. And with the anticipated results  we decided to improve the technology used to improve the quality of the product. Actually  the learning launch results met our expectations and the only trouble we faced was that the  time taken to complete the printing of the whole model was more. So we decided in the future  that usage of different technology such as Digital Light Processing (DLP) can be used to  create good quality products but this would increase the cost of the printer and the raw  material. The learning launch tool helped us to identify the advantages and complications in  each launch

Approach

Given that our team has gone through several design thinking activities/tools and are

at this stage in the timeline, the learning launch is the appropriate tool. As previously  mentioned, our team needs to review the insight gained from our first two launches and use  this insight into future launch designs. Future launch designs should reflect insight gained,

progress made, and come closer to a compelling solution ready for full implementation in the  industry.

