3D printing for medical devices
Linde cooperates with 3D Medlab
Linde is researching the optimization of atmospheric conditions in the additive manufacturing process in order to produce complex lattice structures for medical devices.
In collaboration with 3D Medlab, the joint project is the first of its kind to develop orthopaedic devices. Grid-like, complex components are designed to imitate human body parts. These can integrate better into the patient's own bone and tissue structure, resulting in fewer rejection reactions and faster healing times.
Additive manufacturing can optimize the production of such components by ensuring high-quality repeatability of the process and requiring less post-processing after printing. However, the atmosphere in the printing chamber must be optimal and reproducible. Atmospheric gases play a fundamental role in the printing process, and any contaminants left in the chamber, even once purged, can have a detrimental effect on the manufactured part. In addition, vapors generated during the production process can remain on the object, making post-production cleaning necessary.
Even extremely small fluctuations in oxygen content can affect the mechanical or chemical properties of oxygen-sensitive metals - such as titanium and aluminum alloys - and influence the composition of the end product. For the Linde/3D Medlab research trials, the titanium alloy tested is Ti-6AI-4V.
"We are proud to be working with 3D Medlab on this important and pioneering project," said Pierre Forêt, Senior Expert Manufacturing, Linde. "As a customer at the forefront of medical device manufacturing, it is critical to avoid anything less than optimal product outcomes. It is therefore a testament to our expertise and know-how in gases that we have been chosen as a partner for this project.
The atmospheric tests will include a new helium/argon gas mixture, specially developed by Linde for the project to make the process smoother and cleaner, and the use of Linde's ADDvance® O2 precision, a unique oxygen measurement and analysis technology, to ensure the optimum gas mixture in the pressure chamber. Together with the new gas mixture, ADDvance O2 precision will provide 3D Medlab with precise, detailed control over the oxygen concentration and moisture content in the pressure chamber.
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