Additive Manufacturing for the Healthcare Industry

Metal 3D Printing for Healthcare

Medical device manufacturers are increasingly adopting metal additive manufacturing technology to produce a wide range of medical devices and dental prostheses. Selective Laser Melting is the ideal production technique to integrate function into medical device components, for example, printing surgical implants with lattice structures for enhanced osseointegration and reduced stress shielding. Designs optimized for the SLM® process, and those custom to patients’ anatomy, often create complex bionic geometries which can only be efficiently produced with Selective Laser Melting. SLM® technology provides productivity and cost advantages to users, compared to conventional manufacturing processes such as casting and machining. 

Whether you are making one or many, experience tailored patient care with AM – we help ensure your success with metal additive manufacturing. Find out more about the numerous manufacturing possibilities using  SLM® technology  in the healthcare industry below.

 

Contact us

SUCCESS STORY

Acetabular Cups With Integrated Lattice Structure

Machine: SLM®280 
Material: Ti6Al4V
Layer Thickness: 60µm
Build Time: 15h (Maximized Build Chamber, 34 Units)

34 acetabular cups (Ø44mm) can be placed on the build plate of the SLM®280, which equates to a build time of 30 minutes per part. The porous structure on the exterior surface facilitates osseointegration. SLM® systems are able to achieve the fine details needed across the porous geometry for optimal connection between the implant and the bone to encourage long-term stability of the implant. Selective Laser Melting enables the user to control the design of the tunable lattice structure. This level of control cannot be matched by traditional plasma spray coating processes.

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE

SUCCESS STORY

Patient-Matched Maxillofacial Implants

Machine: SLM®125
Material: Ti Gd. II & Ti6Al4V
Layer Thickness: 30µm

These maxillofacial implants are designed and produced specific to the patient’s anatomy, on the basis of the patient’s CT-scan images. They enable a more efficient surgical procedure, achieving functional and cosmetic restoration. The production of patient-matched and custom CMF implants by Selective Laser Melting is more efficient and more economical compared to traditional CNC-milling techniques.

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE

SLM® Materials for Healthcare Applications

Nikon SLM Solutions offers a wide range of qualified metal powders for use on our selective laser melting systems and commonly utilized in the healthcare industry. All materials provided by Nikon SLM Solutions are qualified for their chemistry, spherical structure, particle size distribution, dryness and flowability. We offer validated process parameters for all biomaterials on all our machines.

  • Ti-Based Alloys: Ti6Al4V Gd. 23, Ti (Grade 2)
  • Co-Based Alloys: CoCr28Mo6, SLM® MediDent
  • Stainless Steel: 316L (1.4404), 17-4PH (1.4542)

Other biomaterials are available on request. 

More SLM® Materials

Selective Laser Melting Solutions for Healthcare Applications

  • Orthopaedic Implants

    Hip, knee and extremity implants are produced with SLM® technology. 

  • Cranio-Maxillofacial Implants

    Patient-matched and custom CMF implants feature complex geometries that are efficiently manufactured with Selective Laser Melting. 

  • Dental Prosthetics

    Dental crowns and bridges, RPDs, implant bars, implant frames, implant abutments, orthodontic RMEs - Selective Laser Melting provides precise manufacturing!

  • Surgical Instruments

    Surgical instruments are produced as prototypes and in small series using SLM® technology.

Quality Standards for Healthcare Industry

We are experts when it comes to qualifying metal parts on our machines, and we are ready to help you each stage of the process. Nikon SLM Solutions supports healthcare projects with relevant documentation, certificates, pFMEAs, parameters, powders, and more. Allow us to share our knowledge with you to boost your metal additive manufacturing production, contact us today! 

Request a Quote