**6.1.4 Case studies of customized plates**

In order to show above explained benefits of implant customization and fabrication with additive technologies, several case studies have been made with customized implants for animals. In these case studies, implants have been manufactured using EBM technology and implanted in dogs in a close collaboration of Metal-Processing Technology Institute AIMME, CIMA Research Group (University of Vigo) and FAUNA Veterinary Clinic (Rodiño, 2010), (CIMA, 2011). Customized implants for ten different patients have been developed, three of which are going to be presented in this section. Specific osteosynthesis plates were designed by researchers from CIMA together with the veterinary surgeon using the procedure mentioned in the Supply Chain section - upon medical images of each patient the model was reconstructed and manufactured on the EBM technology to be implanted. AIMME has offered technical advice related with the manufacturing technology (EBM) during the design process, has manufactured implants by means of EBM and also has performed finishing operations in order to get the optimum surface roughness in every case.
