3DEO wins 2024 Design Excellence Awards’ grand prize

3DEO, the Torrance, California-based design, engineering, and manufacturing firm and a global leader in metal 3D printing, has once again demonstrated its industry leadership by winning the Grand Prize in the Medical/Dental Category for Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) components at the PowderMet & AMPM2024 show held last month in Pittsburgh, PA. The company, along with a leading medical device manufacturer, was awarded for their bone marrow harvesters.

These awards, presented by the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF), underscore 3DEO’s innovative use of powder metallurgy.

“It’s a tremendous honor to receive such prestigious awards,” says Matt Petros, CEO and co-founder of 3DEO. “These achievements reflect the relentless dedication and innovative spirit of our talented team. We continually strive to push the boundaries of what’s possible with our technology, and these awards validate our efforts and commitment to excellence.”

The award-winning 6mm & 8mm bone & marrow harvesters, developed in collaboration with a leading medical device manufacturer, showcase 3DEO’s unique metal 3D printing process. This advanced suction curettage technology enables the harvesting of small to large volumes of cancellous (trabecular) bone and non-diluted bone marrow aspirate quickly and efficiently through minimally invasive incisions. The devices are optimized for easy access sites such as the proximal tibia, distal tibia, calcaneus, and other lower and upper extremity harvest sites.

“Our manufacturing process for these medical devices integrates critical auxiliary technologies to overcome the challenges posed by complex geometries,” explained VP of Sales, Karl Lind. “This meticulous approach ensures that each harvester meets stringent medical specifications and performance standards.”

The engineering properties of the bone & marrow harvesters are rigorously controlled to meet high precision and tolerance requirements. Comprehensive testing confirms that the devices possess the necessary tensile strength, yield, hardness, and fatigue resistance for medical use. These properties are achieved through the application of benching, reaming, and optimized sintering staging processes.

By leveraging metal AM over traditional methods, 3DEO offers significant advantages, including superior precision, surface finish, and cost savings. The process reduces the complexity and expense associated with post-processing, accelerates time to market, and promotes sustainable manufacturing practices.

“Our approach to Metal AM is inherently resource-efficient, minimizing waste and reducing environmental impact,” Petros adds. “This aligns with our commitment to sustainability, particularly in the production of disposable medical devices that ensure both safety and efficacy while supporting a sustainable supply chain.”

Continuing to earn accolades and develop pioneering techniques, 3DEO solidifies its position as a trailblazer in 3D printing and additive manufacturing, providing advanced solutions for customers and contributing to sustainable manufacturing practices.