This article reports on a patient who required a cranial protection system. Using additive manufacturing techniques and surgical planning with the help of bio-models, a patient-specific bone implant solution was proposed that allows aesthetic restoration of the affected area and provides an adequate level of protection. In addition, through a comparative analysis with finite elements, the mechanical response to external actions of the medical device, printed with two materials: polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), is simulated. The tested materials have recognized biocompatibility properties, but their costs on the market differ significantly. The results obtained demonstrate the similarities in the responses of both materials. It offers the possibility that low-income people can access these devices, guaranteeing adequate biomechanical safety, considering that PMMA is a much cheaper material than PEEK.

In the present investigation, the mechanical properties of natural polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), processed by additive manufacturing applying fused deposition modeling (FDM) with three different infill densities, are investigated. Mechanical characterization was performed through destructive testing. Specimens were designed in CAD software and printed with controlled infill densities of $40\%$, $70\%$, and $100\%$, using a rectilinear pattern. The results showed that increased infill density improves mechanical strength and stiffness but reduces ductility and energy absorption capacity. For considered infill densities, maximum stress levels reach values of $107.53\pm 6.29$MPa, $114.32\pm 11.95$MPa, and $63.96\pm 2.39$MPa, respectively, against compression, bending, and tensile loading. These findings offer crucial information for optimizing infill density in manufacturing high-strength components for industrial and biomedical applications. As a result, practical guidelines are provided for the design of medical devices, such as implants, achieving an appropriate balance between mechanical performance and material efficiency.

Soft skills are increasingly recognised as decisive factors for employability and career advancement in the global labour market. This study examines their role in the professional trajectories of university graduates in Ecuador, analysing both the competencies supplied by higher education and the structural demand of the labour market. Based on institutional surveys applied to 3358 graduates from the Salesian Polytechnic University (Cuenca campus), the results show that more than $90\%$ of graduates remain in operational positions, while only $5\%$ reach tactical or managerial levels. To address this phenomenon, five key soft skills—leadership, effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability—were evaluated through a structured questionnaire using Likert-type items. The findings reveal a persistent concentration of professionals in lower organisational levels and heterogeneous perceptions of the applicability of academic training. These outcomes highlight both individual skill gaps and structural limitations of the Ecuadorian labour market, such as the scarcity of managerial positions and the prevalence of family-based business structures. In response, the study proposes a sector-based curricular improvement strategy that systematically incorporates soft skills into university programmes, differentiated by economic sectors such as education, health, commerce, public administration, industry, and primary activities. Grounded in empirical evidence, this approach provides a practical framework to enhance graduates’ career progression, foster more equitable professional mobility, and strengthen the relevance of higher education. The model can be replicated across other Latin American universities facing similar challenges, while also aligning with international standards for competency-based education.

Background/Objectives: The application of additive manufacturing in medicine, and specifically in personalised medicine, has achieved notable development. This article aims to present the results and benefits of applying a comprehensive methodology to simulate, plan, and manufacture customised three-dimensional medical prosthetic devices for use in surgery to restore bone structures with congenital and acquired malformations. Methods: To digitally reconstruct a bone structure in three dimensions from a medical image, a segmentation process is developed to correlate the anatomical model. Then, this model is filtered using a post-processing step to generate stereolithography (STL) files, which are rendered using specialised software. The segmentation of tomographic images is achieved by the specific intensity selection, facilitating the analysis of compact and soft tissues within the anatomical region of interest. With the help of a thresholding algorithm, a three-dimensional digital model of the anatomical structure is obtained, ready for printing the required structure. Results: The described cases demonstrate that the use of anatomical test models, cutting guides, and customised prostheses reduces surgical time and hospital stay, and achieves better aesthetic and functional results. Using materials such as polylactic acid (PLA) for presurgical models, appropriate resins for cutting guides, and biocompatible materials such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) for prostheses, the described improvements are achieved. Conclusions: The achievements attained demonstrate the feasibility of applying these techniques, their advantages and their accessibility in Ecuador. They also reinforce the ideas of personalised medicine in the search for medical treatments and procedures tailored to the needs of each patient.

In the present investigation, the mechanical properties of natural PEEK 450 processed by 1 additive manufacturing and applying fused deposition modeling (FDM) are investigated. Mechanical 2 characterization was performed through destructive testing, following ASTM D638-14, ASTM D695- 3 15 and ASTM D790-10 standards. Specimens were designed in CAD software and printed with 4 controlled infill densities of 40%, 70% and 100%, using a rectilinear pattern. The results showed that 5 an increase in infill density improves mechanical strength and stiffness, but reduces ductility and 6 energy absorption capacity. These findings offer crucial information for optimizing infill density in 7 the manufacturing of high-strength components for industrial and biomedical applications. As a 8 result, practical guidelines are provided for the design of medical devices, such as implants, achieving 9 an appropriate balance between mechanical performance and material efficiency.

This paper describes the results and benefits of applying a comprehensive methodology for simulating and planning surgeries related to the restoration of bone structures damaged by various types of pathologies, through seven clinical success cases. Pre-surgery simulations are performed using 3D printed anatomical test models. In addition, restorations or bone transformations are supported by customised implants manufactured for each case, including customised cutting guides as well. Appropriate polymeric materials are used, and Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is applied as the main additive manufacturing technique to obtain the medical devices. The results demonstrate the feasibility of applying such techniques, their advantages and the possibilities of access to them in Ecuador.