Balls of Steel... or Silicon: IDTechEx examines new 3D Printing Medical Advances

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3D printing offers an efficient method to improve current manufacturing limits across economic sectors such as transport, construction, and medical and dental industries allowing rapid prototyping and on-site production and repairs. Progress in 3D printer development has led to faster, larger, and more accurate printers, but these require more functional materials.

3D printing use in the medical industry is restricted by the lack of biocompatible and biodegradable materials that are suitable for the 3D printing of medical devices with silicone-like mechanical properties.

Korean researchers have recently 3D printed a more affordable and customisable artificial testicle for patients in need of a testis transplant. The researchers’ novel silicone artificial testicle can be 3D printed to match specific patient anatomies, making them more comfortable and lifelike.

With the aim of producing 3D printing materials that are biocompatible and non-toxic, researchers in Australia have developed a ceramic-based ink for 3D-printing bone parts complete with living cells that could be used to repair damaged bone tissue.

US Navy has partnered with Xerox to focus on advancing additive manufacturing research that has the potential to dramatically transform the way the military supplies its forces using the Xerox ElemX Liquid Metal Printer. 

Read more: High-Flyers: IE Talks To Essentium About Its US Air Force Contract

“Global supply chains leave industries like aerospace, automotive, heavy equipment, and oil and gas vulnerable to external risks,” said Tali Rosman, vice president and general manager, 3D Printing, Xerox.

“Our goal is to integrate localised 3D printing into their operations, and the real-time feedback from NPS gives us actionable data to continuously improve the ElemX.”

Researchers in the US have discovered they can influence and increase the electrical performance of composites infused with graphene nano-platelets in a study that could change the way materials are designed and manufactured.

“The combination of epoxy resins and graphene nano-platelets is of interest in several applications for the Air Force, such as thermal interface materials, heat sinks, and electromagnetic shielding materials,” according to Subramanian Ramakrishnan, a professor at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

Growing global trends toward using sustainable materials and manufacturing processes lead to challenges and opportunities. There is progress toward a sustainable building material to 3D print houses made from local on-site soil, using a 3D printer to create a load-bearing structure.

Read more: Italy's WASP unveils world's first 3D printed habitat

In New Zealand, a 3D printed replica of a 230-year-old Hawaiian outrigger (canoe) is in progress, using shavings and wood chips to mix a polymer paste that is being adapted for use in a large robotic printer.

3D printing produces parts layer-by-layer by melting and fusing powder materials allowing the manufacture of complex geometry and reduced manufacturing time and material waste. Manufacturers see value in improved materials that are reliable and cost-effective.

The full portfolio of IDTechEx 3D printing research can be seen here.

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