TissueDB/Materials/ABS
_v01.jpg)
License: CC-BY-2.0 by Creative Tools
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is a rigid thermoplastic. In filament printing, a compatible printer heats a strand of ABS and deposits it in layers. ABS can warp or shrink as it cools.[1] The examples below use ABS for rigid anatomical components and other parts of surgical simulators. Material identity alone does not establish anatomical accuracy or the required feel during training.
Tissues
| Tissue | Visual | Tactile | Simulator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone | Cranial Burr Hole and Craniotomy Simulator (Bakhshi), Thoracoscopic Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair Simulator (Barsness) | The Bakhshi cranium is printed in ABS for drilling with a perforator and craniotome. Follow the relevant simulator's build instructions for its material and printing requirements.[2] | ||
| Cartilage | White UW Cricothyrotomy Simulator, D'Auria Cricothyrotomy Simulator | 3D-printed (FDM). 3D-printed ABS larynx, combined with a cardboard trachea and a bicycle-inner-tube skin.[3] The D'Auria build is a 3D-printed ABS larynx with a mobile cricothyroid joint. See the simulator page for build detail.[4] | ||
| Thyroid Cartilage | Injection Laryngoplasty Simulator (Lee) | 3D-printed (FDM). Part of the rigid 3D-printed structural framework. See the simulator page for build detail.[5] | ||
| Cricoid Cartilage | Injection Laryngoplasty Simulator (Lee) | 3D-printed (FDM). Part of the rigid 3D-printed structural framework. | ||
| (Structural — reusable negative injection mould, not tissue simulant) | Injection Laryngoplasty Simulator (Lee) | 3D-printed (FDM) in ABS. A reusable four-piece negative injection mould printed in ABS, alongside the rigid structural framework. See the simulator page for build detail. |
Working with ABS and STL files
An STL file supplies the model geometry. A slicer prepares instructions for the selected printer and settings.[6]
For a simulator that specifies ABS, follow the ABS filament printing guide for model downloads, slicer setup, layer preview and finished-part checks, including the handoff to a printing service. If the required material or process is unclear, start with 3D printing guides.
Before you print
- Printer and filament: Confirm that the printer supports the selected ABS product. Use its supported nozzle, bed, build surface, enclosure and cooling settings. Do not copy a PLA profile or treat one ABS temperature range as suitable for every printer.
- Emissions: Use the workshop's specified extraction or other emission controls. An enclosure helps manage the print environment; it must also work with controls for airborne particles and vapours. Do not disable extraction to keep the print warm.[7]
- Model and fit: Use the specified dimensions, orientation, wall thickness, infill and supports. After cooling, check dimensions and mating parts against the simulator's requirements. Record any agreed adjustment; do not automatically enlarge the model to compensate for shrinkage.
- Finishing: Follow the build's specified finishing process. Acetone smoothing can alter dimensions and fine details; it is not a routine step in the beginner workflow.[8]
Troubleshooting
- Corners lift or layers split: Check the selected ABS profile, build-surface preparation and printing environment with the operator. Reprint damaged components after resolving the cause.
- The part is the wrong size or does not fit: Check the source dimensions, units and any recorded scale change. Measure the cooled part. Do not force it into the assembly.
- Supports obscure an opening or damage a surface: Compare the sliced preview with the source design. Confirm that supports can be removed without altering required anatomy or fitting surfaces.
- A part prints successfully but feels wrong during training: Recheck the material, walls, infill and orientation against the simulator's instructions. Printing success does not replace the developer's acceptance checks.
Alternatives
| Alternative | Best For | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | Named as a possible substitute by the developers of the Injection Laryngoplasty Simulator (Lee), who printed the cartilage framework in ABS and report that consumer-grade printers and other filaments, including PLA, gave no substantial loss of quality. | An alternative for one build is not permission to change another. The Medical Makers tibial model requires PLA and explicitly excludes ABS.[9] Use each simulator's specified material and verify the result. |
References
- ↑ Prusa Research. ABS. Manufacturer guidance on printing conditions, warping and shrinkage. Accessed 11 November 2026.
- ↑ Bakhshi SK, Ahmad R, Merchant AAH, Noorali AA, Abdul Rahim K, Shaikh NQ, Afzal N, Lakhdir MPA, Shamim MS, Haider AH. Development, outcome and costs of a simulation-based neurosurgery bootcamp at the national level. BMC Medical Education 2022;22:896. DOI: 10.1186/s12909-022-03965-9. PMID: 36578075.
- ↑ D'Auria D, Persia F. Automatic evaluation of medical doctors' performances while using a cricothyrotomy simulator. 2014 IEEE 15th International Conference on Information Reuse and Integration (IRI 2014), Redwood City, CA, 13–15 August 2014:514–519. DOI: 10.1109/IRI.2014.7051932.
- ↑ D'Auria D, Persia F. A Framework for Real-Time Evaluation of Medical Doctors' Performances While Using a Cricothyrotomy Simulator. In: Data Management Technologies and Applications. DATA 2014. Communications in Computer and Information Science. Springer, Cham, 2015:182–198. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-25936-9_12.
- ↑ Lee M, Ang C, Andreadis K, Shin J, Rameau A. An open-source three-dimensionally printed laryngeal model for injection laryngoplasty training. Laryngoscope 2021;131(3):E890–E895. DOI: 10.1002/lary.28952. PMID: 32750164.
- ↑ UltiMaker. The UltiMaker Cura workflow explained. Accessed 11 November 2026.
- ↑ NIOSH. Approaches to Safe 3D Printing: A Guide for Makerspace Users, Schools, Libraries, and Small Businesses. November 2023, Publication 2024-103, sections 3 and 4. Accessed 11 November 2026.
- ↑ Prusa Research. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing. 25 June 2020. Accessed 11 November 2026.
- ↑ Medical Makers. Prepare 3D Print Files. Material requirements for the adult male tibial models. Accessed 11 November 2026.
| Authors | Ian-laurel, Arturo Pelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturo Pelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Materials/ABS". Appropedia. Retrieved November 13, 2026. |