Current 3D/AM news

Biocompatible materials for O&P industry

Essentium has collaborated with Vorum to introduce a line of biocompatible 3D printing materials that meet ISO 10993 and U.S. FDA guidance for intact skin surface devices as verified by certified, independent lab testing. A study co-commissioned by Essentium and Vorum verified Essentium’s PCTG, PA-CF, TPU 74D, and PET-CF are non-contact sensitive, non-cytotoxic, and non-irritant, enabling orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) clinicians to use the 3D printing materials for O&P devices that require long-term skin contact.

These next-generation materials unlock important advances for O&P devices, such as lightweight prosthetic sockets that provide reliable strength and long-lasting comfort.

This partnership brings together the Essentium High-Speed Extrusion (HSE) 3D printing platform and biocompatible materials with Vorum’s O&P CAD/CAM solutions and SurePath methodology. With 30 years of experience in O&P digital processes, Vorum developed SurePath to provide O&P clinicians with a proven approach for 3D printing adoption, implementation, training, and support. This partnership enables O&P practitioners to make a swift and successful transition from plaster-casting methods to 3D printing in any O&P production setting.

https://essentium.com

Expanded material ecosystem

The addition of 16 new materials expands the use cases addressable by Stratasys for a variety of manufacturing settings. Material additions include Stratasys Validated materials for FDM 3D printers, a variety of open, exploratory materials for the P3-based Origin One 3D printer that can be used with an open material license (OML), and polypropylene powder for the SAF technology-powered H350 3D printer.

Stratasys is partnering with materials providers Covestro, Kimya, and Victrex plc to make Stratasys Validated materials available for Stratasys FDM printers, starting with the Fortus 450mc platform. These materials have been validated by Stratasys with basic reliability testing to accelerate the expansion of material options available in the marketplace.

Customers can also access novel materials through an annual OML, introduced last fall, and Stratasys has identified eight new materials for the OML program.

Polypropylene (PP) material for the H350 3D printer powered by SAF technology is for volume production of 3D-printed parts. A versatile, flexible, and popular polymer, its higher ductility and chemical resistance, and its ability to be sterilized makes it suitable for a variety of applications.

Furthering career opportunities in 3DP

Ultimaker will donate more than 20 3D printers through its new partnership with America Makes. The printers will be used in middle and high schools, as well as community organizations and non-profits across the country. The goal is to grow awareness, inspiration, and entrepreneurship opportunities for 3D printing (3DP) technology among young women and diverse groups and communities through educational outreach at America Makes.

The Ultimaker printers, assembled in Memphis, Tennessee, will enable young women across the United States to expand the potential for innovations with additive manufacturing (AM) as they learn, experiment, and innovate with 3DP. Ultimaker printers are already deployed in many schools and universities across the globe, and this partnership will further strengthen the commitment to make this technology more accessible.

Schools, teachers, leaders, members, and partners can visit americamakes.us/amnation to learn more about educational programs. Anchored within the site is information on academic programs, about the partnership, and submission forms for possible selection.

https://www.americamakes.us
https://ultimaker.com

OsteoFab technology for spinal, sports implants

An agreement between Fuse Medical Inc. and Oxford Performance Materials Inc. (OPM) enables Fuse to develop cervical and lumbar spinal interbodies, soft tissue fixation devices for sports medicine, and other foot and ankle implants featuring OPM’s OsteoFab PEKK technology.

The agreement enables development of cervical and lumbar spinal interbodies, soft tissue fixation devices for sports medicine, and other foot and ankle implants featuring OPM’s proprietary 3D printing intellectual property (IP). These implants, produced with OPM’s (metal and metallosis-free) OXPEKK material formulation, deliver clinical benefits to the surgeon such as bone-like mechanics, bone ongrowth, radiolucency, and antibacterial + antiviral properties. Fuse will be original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the new product lines, which OPM will exclusively contract manufacture.