Axiomatic design framework for innovation in dental implant manufacturing in Africa

¹ Stellenbosch University, Industrial Engineering Department, 7602 Cape Town, South Africa
² Stellenbosch University, Mechanical and Mechatronics Department, 7602 Cape Town, South Africa
³ Astana IT University, Department of Intelligent Systems, 010000, Astana, Kazakhstan

^* Corresponding author: steed@sun.ac.za

Abstract

The increasing need for patient-specific and affordable dental implants in Africa may be addressed by integrating a patient-centred design and manufacturing framework, such as axiomatic design principles. This approach remains underutilised in the dental manufacturing environment of the region, despite its promising outcome. Through two fictitious case studies, this study demonstrates how well the framework addresses the changing concerns of dental implant patients through design and manufacturing using independence and information axiom. The analysis also suggests the adoption of flexible and yet lean manufacturing methods, such as additive manufacturing, to mitigate the current challenges faced in the field of dental implant manufacturing.