For our final project, Archit, Morgan, Victoria and I were tasked with making our take on the remainder of the LUCIA frame, after we had worked to create the cervix models for our midterms. For reference, we were provided with the older model shown below. After assembling it and using a speculum to test the user experience, we decided as a team that the most important thing we would need to improve on would be the cervical model holder.
Old LUCIA model
For some background, LUCIA, stands for Low-Cost, Universal Cervical Cancer Instructional Apparatus, and is a portable model used to help train healthcare professionals in low-resource settings on gynecological procedures. The model costs $47 and includes a wooden pelvic frame, a vaginal canal, cervical model holders, and the cervix models.
To start, we measured all the pieces of the old LUCIA model and used Adobe Illustrator to recreate the different components. We created the three panels that mirrored the old model and added numbers on the bottom right corner to indicate the order of assembly. Finally, we set the stroke width to be 0.001″ for the panel outline and 0.008″ for the numbers.
Example Illustrator file for LUCIA model
We then used the Epilog Laser Fusion laser cutter to cut out our pieces. Our initial settings were for engraving were set at 500 resolution, 60% speed, and 50% power. Settings for vector cuts were set to 35% speed, 100% power, and 10% frequency. However, we quickly noticed that a lot of our pieces were not being completely cut through. To get around this problem, we just ran the cut twice on every single piece to ensure that desired cuts went all the way through the wood.
Prepping the prints for the laser cutter.
Laser cutting the pelvic frame.
Laser cut LUCIA panels.
Once we had all the vertical panels for our LUCIA model, we started working on the pelvic frame base. Using the bandsaw, we cut a piece of scrapwood to match the dimensions that we measured of the pelvic frame from the original LUCIA model. The biggest challenge during this step was that the cuts were not completely straight. Thus, after we had finished each of the cuts that was necessary using the bandsaw, we sanded the pieces of the frame using an orbital sander to minimize roughness and level our crooked cuts.
LUCIA pelvic frame base
LUCIA base after sanding with an orbital sander
Below is the cost analysis for our project:
| Cost Type | Cost | Price | Source | Quantity | Total |
| Materials
|
Wood (0.4 cm x 50 cm x 44 cm) | $15.99 | Rockler | 1 | $15.99 |
| Green TPU (1 kg) | $0.80 / ounce | Amazon | 0.85 | $0.68 | |
| PLA filament | $19.99 / kg | Bambu Lab | 0.01 kg | $0.21 | |
| Post-processing tool (Sandpaper) | $12.68/20 pcs of 9×11 320 grit paper | Amazon | ⅛ sheet | $0.08 | |
| Super glue | $7.48 / 15 g | Home Depot | < 0.5 g | $0.25 | |
| Wood glue | $4.37 / 8 oz bottle | Amazon | < 0.05 oz | $0.22 | |
| Wing nut | $1.52 / nut | Home Depot | 16 | $24.32 | |
| 3/4″ passivated screw | $0.13 / screw | Bob’s CB | 16 | $2.08 | |
| Phillips head screwdriver | 7.97 | Home Depot | 1 | $7.97 | |
| Labor | Laser cutter operator | 19 / hr | ZipRecruiter | 1 hr | $19.00 |
| Prototyping engineer | 25.91/hr | Indeed | 7 hr | $181.37 | |
| Overhead
|
Laser cutter usage cost | 0.14/hr | Accurl | 1 hr | $0.14 |
| 3D printer usage cost | 0.21/hr | Prusa | 2 hr | $0.42 | |
| Band saw operating cost / blade usage | ~$90 / day | Peterson Sawmills | 1 day | $90 | |
| Hand drill operating cost | $0.072 / hr | Slashplan | 10 minutes | $0.01 | |
| Total | $342.74 |
