As part of my senior design project at Jacksonville University, I am currently working in collaboration with KLS Martin, a global leader in medical technology, to address a critical challenge in the manufacturing of custom titanium dental implants. Our project focuses on automating the abutment polishing process in order to improve consistency, efficiency, and scalability while enhancing the overall design and workflow. To achieve this, my team is developing an automated polishing system that ensures compliance with FDA and ISO medical device standards.

My role in the project has spanned research, design, and testing. I conducted extensive background research on the Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy, focusing on its mechanical, thermal, and biocompatibility properties, as well as the regulatory requirements governing implantable medical devices. To ensure the solution was directly guided by stakeholder needs, we met with leaders across multiple departments, including manufacturing engineers, quality assurance specialists, regulatory experts, and process technicians. These discussions allowed us to gather the Voice of the Customer from diverse points of view and prioritize requirements such as surface consistency, process repeatability, ergonomics, and compliance with biocompatibility standards.

Building on this foundation, I contributed to generating and evaluating a wide range of polishing concepts, from mechanical and laser-based methods to hybrid approaches. Using structured decision making tools such as Pugh charts, we narrowed the options to the most promising design paths. I also participated in experimental testing, where we validated polishing feasibility by measuring surface roughness, and studying abrasive media performance. These iterative experiments informed design refinements and supported risk mitigation planning.

Through this project, I have gained valuable experience applying principles of mechanical design, materials science, and biomedical engineering to a real-world problem. More importantly, I am actively contributing to a solution with the potential to significantly improve implant manufacturing by reducing variability, increasing efficiency, and ultimately supporting better clinical outcomes for patients.