Portfolio of my research activities at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland) and at the University of Bologna (Italy).

1. Portfolio
Marco Piccinini
Mechanical engineer, PhD in biomechanics
Contacts:
Phone: +41 76 273 7628
Email: marco.piccinini84@gmail.com
Web: marcopiccinini84.wix.com/cvitae

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Portfolio - Marco Piccinini
Contents
Micro-cutting analyses:
1.Multi-physics Finite Element analyses of machining..…………………………
a.Effects of microstructure on numerical predictions of orthogonal cutting……………………………………………………………….. Biomechanics:
2.Bone adaptation to implants and loads ……………………………………………….
a.Automatic procedure to obtain Individual-based Finite Element models from high resolution CT scans ……………………
b.Experimental validation of numerical analyses …………………….
c.Bone physiological deformation during gait …………………………
d.Structural optimization…………………………………………………………
e.Numerical predictions of peri-implant bone adaptation to mechanical loads …………………………………………………………………
f.Mechanical adaptation of bone microstructures ………………… Robotics:
3.Design of robotic hands ………………………………………………………………………
a.Soft fingertips ………………………………………………………………………
b.Compliant joints ………………………………………………………………….. Summary ..………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
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Portfolio - Marco Piccinini
Micro-cutting analyses
Scientist July 2014 - currently Laboratory for Computer-Aided Design and Production (LICP), École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland) to integrate multi-physics Finite Element analyses of machining on CAD/CAM systems to support the zero defect machining paradigm
My role:
Period:
Where:
Goal:
CAD/CAM: geometry
Workpiece
Tool
Finite Elements: physics
Tool
Workpiece
Cutting parameters
Roughness
Tolerance
residual stresses

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Portfolio - Marco Piccinini
Micro cutting
Currently, Switzerland
Effects of microstructure on numerical predictions of orthogonal cutting
Chip shape and temperature: (a) single-phase continuous material, (b) single-phase granular material and (c) multi-phase granular material.

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Portfolio - Marco Piccinini
Bone adaptation
PhD student.
2010 – 2014
Laboratory of Applied Mechanics and Reliability Analyses, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland)
Predict the bone adaptation around mini-implants subjected to mechanical stimulation.
My role:
Period:
Where:
Goal:
Rat
tibia
Stimulated implants

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Portfolio - Marco Piccinini
Bone adaptation
2010-2014, Switzerland
Automatic procedure to obtain Individual-based Finite Element models from high resolution
CT scans
Implanted
specimen
High-resolution
CT scans
Individual-based
segmentation
Specimen-specific FE model
Individual-based pattern of mechanical deformation
occurring in bone when the implants are loaded
Load

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Portfolio - Marco Piccinini
Bone adaptation
2010-2014, Switzerland
Experimental campaigns to validate
the numerical analyses
Three-point bending setup
Implant lateral stability
setup

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Portfolio - Marco Piccinini
Bone adaptation
2010-2014, Switzerland
Investigations on bone physiological deformation during gait
Rat limb skeleton
and muscles (red)
Inverse kinematic
Musculoskeletal
forces
Specimen-specific FE model
Individual-based pattern of mechanical deformation occurring in bone during gait:
physiological stimulation.

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Portfolio - Marco Piccinini
Bone adaptation
2010-2014, Switzerland
Implementation of structural optimization theories
Homogeneous initial structure
Load-dependent optimized structures
Example 1:
Optimized structure to bear the Pressure P?
P
Example 2:
Optimized structure to bear the forces F1 and F2 ?
F1
F2
Automatic optimization: load bearing material is preserved (red color) Useless material is erased (blue color)
P
F1
F2

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Portfolio - Marco Piccinini
Bone adaptation
2010-2014, Switzerland
Numerical predictions of optimized peri-implant bone adaptation to mechanical loads
Predicted
by numerics
Observed
in-vivo
Apical densification
Cortical bone loss
Predicted by numerics
Observed in-vivo

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Portfolio - Marco Piccinini
Bone adaptation
2010-2014, Switzerland
Mechanical adaptation
of bone microstructures
Multi-scale bone adaptation to mechanical signals
Finite Element analysis
of trabecular structures

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Portfolio - Marco Piccinini
Design of robotic hands
Soft
fingertips
Compliant joints
Research assistant
2009 – 2010
Industrial Engineering Department, University of Bologna (Italy)
DEXmart (European founding, FP7)
Design od 3D printed soft fingertips and compliant joints for a high-dexterity robotic hand
My role: Period: Where: Project: Goal:

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Portfolio - Marco Piccinini
Design of robotic hands 2009-2010, Italy
Design of 3D printed, fluid-filled, soft fingertips that replicate the human touch.
Design
Stress-Compliance FE study
3D printed prototype
Testing

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Portfolio - Marco Piccinini
Optimization of 3D printed,
large-rotation, compliant joints.
Design
Stress-Compliance FE study
3D printed finger
Testing
Design of robotic hands
2009-2010, Italy

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Portfolio - Marco Piccinini
Summary
My main fields of expertise are:
Mechanical design
Numerical analysis with FEM software
Structural optimization
Pre- and post- processing of clinical images
Dental implants design and manufacturing
Design and testing of biocompatible materials for implants
Design of components for 3D printing
Production and testing of 3D printed materials.
Achievements:
•Ph.D. degree, delivered for the results obtained through studies in biomechanics
•IEEE RAS Award 2012: best scientific paper published on the IEEE I-RAS journal in the previous two years, for the work on the 3D printed robotic hand.
I presented the work developed in these years at several congresses in all Europe. I also authored publications in scientific journals renowned world-wide.
A complete list can be found HERE .