Linear Accelerator visualisation aid

thingiverse

This is a stylised model of a linear accelerator, similar to a Varian iX. It was designed to aid visualisation of treatment machine angles in the planning department of the North West Cancer Centre, Tamworth, Australia. The model also has potential to be modified to help introduce paediatric radiation therapy patients to the treatment machine and its movements. I created it from scratch, largely by eye so it is not a scale model. This is the first complex design I have made and there is plenty of room to improve it. As per below, not all parts of this model were 3D printed. Printer: Cubicon Single 110F. Rafts: Yes. Supports: Yes. Infill: 50%. Notes: 50% fill was required to allow the screws for attaching the magnets to get enough purchase in the plastic. Printed in ABS. I learned a lot about print orientation from this process! Assembly as shown in the photos requires additional parts that are not printed: I used round magnetic latch components to facilitate posable gantry and collimating rotation. The imager components are attached with nylon nuts and bolts that I purchased. The bolts are 10mm diameter and 25mm length. The fixation of the couch to the floor turntable required glue. Magnetic Latch parts (22mm diameter x 8mm deep) were screwed into pre-printed holes in the stand and gantry. Another magnet was screwed and a washer in pre-printed holes keep the collimator head attached and allow it to rotate. Close up showing nylon nuts and bolts allowing imager arms to be posed as desired. Bolt diameter is 10mm and holes were printed with a diameter of 10.8mm. I haven't yet attempted using a tap and die set to create 3D printed nuts and bolts. This design was developed primarily using sketches in Fusion 360. The void in the gantry's "accelerator structure" area aimed to help the model balance and cut down on materials. Other holes have been included in the design to aid easy fixation of screws or to minimise the chance of splitting when parts were screwed on. The stand and floor were too large to print as a single object, hence the jigsaw cut. The turntable uses hard stops to avoid the couch rotating beyond the 180 degree limits achievable in real life. Other rotations have no hard stops in this design.