Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a qualitative and quantitative comparison and evaluation of an open-source fused deposition modeling (FDM) additive manufacturing (AM) system with a proprietary FDM AM system based on the fabrication of a custom benchmarking model. Design/methodology/approach – A custom benchmarking model was fabricated using the two AM systems and evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The fabricated models were visually inspected and scanned using a 3D laser scanning system to examine their dimensional accuracy and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) performance with respect to the computer-aided design (CAD) model geometry. Findings – The open-source FDM AM system (CupCake CNC) successfully fabricated most of the features on the benchmark, but the model did suffer from greater thermal warping and surface roughness, and limitations in the fabrication of overhang structures compared to the model fabricated by the proprietary AM system. Overall, the CupCake CNC provides a relatively accurate, low-cost alternative to more expensive proprietary FDM AM systems. Research limitations/implications – This work is limited in the sample size used for the evaluation. Practical implications – This work will provide the public and research AM communities with an improved understanding of the performance and capabilities of an open-source AM system. It may also lead to increased use of open-source systems as research testbeds for the continued improvement of current AM processes, and the development of new AM system designs and processes. Originality/value – This study is one of the first comparative evaluations of an open-source AM with a proprietary AM system.

Context Functional performance tests (FPTs) are tools used to assess dynamic muscle strength and power. In contrast to the lower extremity, fewer FPTs are available for the upper extremity. The seated single-arm shot put test has the potential to fill the void in upper extremity FPTs; however, the underlying mechanics have not been examined and, therefore, the validity of bilateral comparisons is unknown. Objective To examine the effects of upper extremity dominance and medicine-ball mass on the underlying mechanics of the seated single-arm shot put. Design Crossover study. Setting Biomechanics laboratory. Patients or Other Participants Fifteen women (age = 23.6 ± 2.1 years, height = 1.65 ± .07 m, mass = 68.1 ± 11.7 kg) and 15 men (age = 24.3 ± 4.0 years, height = 1.80 ± 0.06 m, mass = 88.1 ± 16.4 kg), all healthy and physically active. Intervention(s) Seated single-arm shot-put trials using the dominant and nondominant limbs were completed using three 0.114-m-diameter medicine-ball loads (1 kg, 2 kg, 3 kg). Main Outcome Measure(s) Customized touch-sensitive gloves, synchronized with kinematic data of the hands, signaled ball release, so that release height, release angle, and peak anterior and vertical velocity could be quantified for each trial. In addition, the horizontal range from release to first floor impact was recorded. Results The dominant-limb horizontal ranges were 7% to 11% greater (P < .001) than for the nondominant limb for each of the 3 ball masses. No bilateral release-height or -angle differences were revealed (P ≥ .063). Release velocities were 7.6% greater for the dominant limb than the nondominant limb (P = .001). Conclusions Our results support the use of the seated single-arm shot put test as a way to compare bilateral upper extremity functional performance. The near-identical release heights and angles between the dominant and nondominant limbs support the interpretation of measured bilateral horizontal-range differences as reflecting underlying strength and power differences.

A computer-controlled mechanical chamber was used to control the contact between carpet samples laden with soil, and human cadaver skin and cotton sheet samples for the measurement of mass soil transfer. Mass soil transfers were converted to adherence factors (mg/cm2) for use in models that estimate dermal exposure to contaminants found in soil media. The contact parameters of pressure (10 to 50 kPa) and time (10 to 50 sec) were varied for 369 experiments of mass soil transfer, where two soil types (play sand and lawn soil) and two soil sizes (< 139.7 microm and > or = 139.7 < 381) were used. Chamber probes were used to record temperature and humidity. Log transformation of the sand/soil transfers was performed to normalize the distribution. Estimated adjusted means for experimental conditions were exponentiated in order to express them in the original units. Mean soil mass transfer to cadaver skin (0.74 mg/cm2) was higher than to cotton sheets (0.21 mg/cm2). Higher pressure (p < 0.0001), and larger particle size (p < 0.0001) were also all associated with larger amounts of soil transfer. The original model was simplified into two by adherence material type (i.e., cadaver skin and cotton sheets) in order to investigate the differential effects of pressure, time, soil size, and soil type on transfer. This research can be used to improve estimates of dermal exposure to contaminants found in home carpets.

The American kettlebell swing is a variation of the Russian kettlebell swing where the kettlebell is swept in an arc from between the legs to an overhead position with straightened arms. Previous studies involving the kettlebell swing have examined the aerobic and cardiovascular impact of the swing, the variation of mechanical impulse and power generation with kettlebell weight, and compared its efficacy to other types of exercises. However, there have been limited studies examining the dynamic biomechanical loads of the swing on the arm and shoulder. The aim of this study was to establish the mechanical demands of the American kettlebell swing exercise on the arms and shoulders to determine the regions of highest force output and the variation of the forces throughout the swing, all based on percentage of the swing completed. In order to obtain kinematic data, two female subjects with prior kettlebell exercise experience performed one set of fifteen American swings with 8kg and 12kg kettlebells. Position and orientation data was recorded during trials for the kettlebell, joints, and centers of mass of arm segments. Velocity and acceleration data was found using finite-difference approximations. An inverse dynamics method applied to (2-D) planar motion using Newton-Euler equations was used to determine the forces and moments at various joints along the entire arm including the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints. Data was time normalized as percent of swing, where 0% and 100% indicated the beginning and end of the swing respectively, and approximately 50% denoted the transition between upswing and downswing halves. Results revealed that the arm was under tension during 0% to 35% and 67% to 100% of the swing, indicating the upper torso works to provide the normal force to support the curved motion of the kettlebell. During 36% to 66% of the swing the arm muscles worked in order to support the weight of the kettlebell over the head. While the lower extremity mechanical demands associated with kettlebell swings have been studied, the current results help clarify the upper extremity mechanical demands associated with kettlebell swing exercise. The results of this analysis will better help practitioners to understand the prerequisite upper extremity function needed to perform the full American style swing. The American kettlebell swing carries risks its Russian equivalent does not have, typically breaking form to make the shoulder extension involved with raising the kettlebell above the subjects head. These results suggest that the extra range of motion in the American kettlebell swing prompts different mechanical demands which, in turn, targets different muscle groups from the lower half of the American swing or the Russian kettlebell swing. Finally, because increasing mechanical stimuli is an important component to exercise progression, this analysis fills the void of understanding the effects of changing kettlebell loads on the upper extremity demands. Future research will consider the symmetry of the upper extremity mechanical patterns revealed by this analysis.