For our final project, we created a new and improved version of the LUCIA model! To further improve this apparatus, my teammates and I came up with two changes we could make to improve the functioning of the apparatus. The first change included making slots on the bottom of the base for the various slides of the model to fit in, instead of using the screws that are currently used in the model. This would make the assembly process much easier for the healthcare professionals when using the apparatus. The second change included making a cervical holder in our model, similar to what exists in the current model for the vagina. This would allows us to eliminate the need for an additional wood panel in our design as well as an extra metal piece that makes the apparatus more complicated for set up.

To create our new and improved version of the LUCIA model, we followed the steps below:

1. Our team took detailed measurements of all panels, the base, and the kick stand of the LUCIA model to ensure that we would be able to recreate each piece in the right dimensions in Adobe Illustrator.

	Panels	Base	Kick Stand
Height (Y)	14.8 cm	23.8 cm	7.5 cm
Width (X)	14.8 cm	14.8 cm	14.8 cm

	Vaginal Cavity Space	Cervix Space
Length	11.5 cm	1 cm

2. We then created the respective files in Adobe Illustrator for our new panels with the vaginal cavity and cervix holders, as well as the platform base and kickstand, with the added slots for our new modification for the LUCIA.

Cervix Viewing Panel

Cervix Holder Panel

Vaginal Cavity Holder Panel

Vaginal Cavity Viewing Panel

LUCIA Base and Kickstand

3. Our team then decided to utilize the Laser cutter for our various panels and CNC mill for the base and kickstand portions. We knew that the base had to be thicker and sturdier than the panels, and therefore, wanted to CNC mill the slots on our base instead of laser cutting it.

a) We first used the Epilog Pro to laser cut our panels, and used the following settings: 10 Frequency, 100 Power, 20 Speed.

b) We then utilized the CNC mill machine, Shapeoko Pro, to make our LUCIA base and kickstand. We utilized a 0.4 mm thick block of wood that was 8.0 mm in width and 14.0 mm in height. However, the CNC mill machine took a very long time to complete the cut for the slots in our base, and also made our base and kickstand much smaller in dimensions than what we set for it in Adobe Illustrator. We therefore, decided to pivot our design and utilize the Epilog Pro, printing multiple copies of the base and kickstand that we could glue together, to ensure that these components would be sturdy enough.

4. After we finished laser cutting all of our components, we aligned the panels that needed to match together and tried fitting it into the slots in the base, in order to ensure that our design was able to do what we intended it to do. However, we ran into an issue with the middle panel not fitting in the slot we created in the base, and therefore, had to re-measure, create, and print the base to fit the panels.

Panel 1: Includes the vaginal cavity viewing panel and vaginal cavity holder.

Panel 2: Includes the vaginal cavity holder, cervical viewing panel, and the cervix holder

Panel 3: Includes the cervix holder and back panel

Pictured above is us trying to align our wood pieces together to fit into the base, as well as our middle piece not fitting

5. We then tried aligning the pieces again, and found that it fit into the slots in our base. We then moved into utilizing wood glue to stick together the various layers of our panels as well as base and kick stand.

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Pictured above is the gluing process and our final glued products 

6. Our team then moved on to post processing our apparatus. We first utilized sand paper with grit of 150 and 180 to ensure that our apparatus had smooth edges. We then utilized wood stain to make our apparatus look more professional. However, we realized that the stain had become too dark, and wanted to make the color a bit lighter, and therefore, utilized Danish Oil.

Pictured above are the products we utilized for post-processing and our apparatus pieces drying after being coated with danish oil and wood stain.

7. Our final LUCIA apparatus was then complete.

Pictured above is our final LUCIA apparatus with the vaginal cavity and cervix inserted for the purpose of modeling its functionality.

 

Cost-Analysis Breakdown:

Cost Type	Cost	Price	Source	Quantity	Total
Materials	Wood for laser cutting	$5.25 for one 19 in x 12in x 0.125 in board	makerflo.com	2	$10.50
	Wood Glue	$3.47 for 4 ounce bottle	walmart.com	0.5 oz	$0.43
	Danish Oil	$13.99 for one pint (437 mL)	amazon.com	3 mL	$0.10
	Wood Stain	$8.17 for half a pint (8 fl oz)	amazon.com	2 oz	$2.04
	Sandpaper grit 150	$8.54 for 12 9 in x 11 in  sheets	amazon.com	¼ of 1 sheet	$0.18
	Sandpaper grit 180	$5.98 for 3 9in x 11in sheets	homedepot.com	¼ of 1 sheet	$0.50
Labor	Laser printer operator	$19/hour	ziprecruiter.com	1 hour	$19
Total					$32.75

Lessons Learned: 

1. We struggled with obtaining accurate measurements of the distance between each panel in the base of our LUCIA model. In the future, it would be helpful to obtain more accurate measurements of the space between each panel before starting our laser cutting. Additionally, finding a way to account for the difference that exists when the panels sit in the base at a slant would be helpful for the creation of our panels. Both of these factors would help the process of creating our LUCIA model be more efficient. 
2. The wood stain dried darker than expected, and can be avoid next time by having it stay on the wood for a shorter period of time and also by applying a smaller layer. 
3. The CNC mill takes a longer time to complete and is less precise compared to the laser cutter, and therefore, was not great for our base that needed to be cut with the precise measurements we made in the Adobe Illustrator file.

Picture of clean workspace: