Materiale: Polymers

Additive Manufacturing Certification for Medical Devices: An Operational Framework for Effective Qualification

Additive Manufacturing Certification for Medical Devices: An Operational Framework for Effective Qualification

The certification of medical devices produced with additive manufacturing requires an operational framework that integrates regulatory requirements from the design phase. This approach, called “design for certification”, reduces delays and late reviews, turning compliance into a competitive advantage. It is fundamental to qualify the 3D printing process with documented proof of rep

Bio-Based SLS Printing: When Sustainability Meets Technological Limits

Bio-Based SLS Printing: When Sustainability Meets Technological Limits

Bio-based materials for SLS 3D printing, such as PHB and PA11, offer more sustainable solutions but still present technological limitations compared to traditional polymers like PA12. Although they improve stiffness and thermal stability, they suffer from lower ductility, high porosity, and a narrow process window. Research continues to optimize composition and parameters, aiming for a balance between sust

How Lignosulfonate-Based Industrial Ink Works for Recycled 3D Printing

How Lignosulfonate-Based Industrial Ink Works for Recycled 3D Printing

New 3D printing ink based on lignosulfonate, a by-product of the paper industry, enables room-temperature processes without solvents or post-treatments. Composed of 70% waste material, it is recyclable up to nine times while maintaining high performance, promoting a circular economy in industrial additive production.

Sustainable materials in action: how the industry is implementing bio-based solutions on a large scale

Sustainable materials in action: how the industry is implementing bio-based solutions on a large scale

The industry is implementing bio-based sustainable materials on a large scale, integrating responsible agricultural supply chains, technological innovation and circular economy. Projects such as Pragati, Bio.3DGREEN and Virtucycle demonstrate how sustainability and industrial performance can coexist, thanks to strategic partnerships and standardization.

Self-produced design without compromise: the True Iconic Design case

Self-produced design without compromise: the True Iconic Design case

There's a prejudice that's hard to die: 3D printed products have an inevitably compromised aesthetic. True Iconic Design overturns this logic by building sculptural home accessories where the production technology disappears completely — and only the design remains.

Part Identification via CAD without ML Model Retraining

Part Identification via CAD without ML Model Retraining

A new innovative method enables the automatic identification of 3D printed parts directly using CAD models, without the need to retrain machine learning models. Developed by KU Leuven, Materialise, and Iristick, the system leverages geometric representations and few-shot learning techniques to classify new parts quickly and efficiently, reducing times and

How Chemical Vapor is Revolutionizing the Post-Processing of 3D Parts

How Chemical Vapor is Revolutionizing the Post-Processing of 3D Parts

Chemical vapor is revolutionizing the post-processing of 3D parts, offering smooth, waterproof, and repeatable finishes without material removal. Automated technologies like AMT PostPro eliminate production bottlenecks, reduce costs, and improve mechanical properties, making additive production scalable and certifiable for demanding industries.

New Era of Governance: The Evolution of Leadership in the Additive Manufacturing Industry

New Era of Governance: The Evolution of Leadership in the Additive Manufacturing Industry

The Additive Manufacturing Alliance, born from the union of Leading Minds and AM I Navigator, promotes the industrial integration of additive manufacturing through structured governance, standardization, and operational support.

Additive Manufacturing in Production: How Industrial Companies Build Reliable Processes

Additive Manufacturing in Production: How Industrial Companies Build Reliable Processes

The adoption of additive manufacturing in industry requires operational discipline, focus on defined part families, and rigorous process control. Technology alone is not enough: organizational management is needed to ensure reliability and repeatability. Winning applications are born where performance advantages outweigh complexity, such as in aerospace, medical, and tooling. Integration

Implementing the Digital Thread in Additive Manufacturing: An Operational Playbook for Multi-CAD Integration

Implementing the Digital Thread in Additive Manufacturing: An Operational Playbook for Multi-CAD Integration

Implementing the digital thread in additive manufacturing is now an operational necessity, no longer a futuristic vision. Multi-CAD integration requires reliable solutions to overcome interoperability barriers, ensure traceability, and maintain data consistency throughout the entire production cycle. Case studies and best practices show how middleware, clear governance, and hybrid toolchains can

How the Soft Optical SOLen Sensor Works in Medical Applications

How the Soft Optical SOLen Sensor Works in Medical Applications

The SOLen soft optical sensor uses light to measure deformations with high precision and stability, overcoming the limits of traditional sensors. Thanks to a 3D-printed Y-structure and a differential configuration of photoreceptors, it offers reliable measurements and is insensitive to environmental interference. Ideal for advanced medical devices, smart orthoses, and monitoring systems

Reducing healthcare costs with 3D printing: the economic impact of customized devices

Reducing healthcare costs with 3D printing: the economic impact of customized devices

Customized 3D printing reduces healthcare costs by preventing avoidable complications, such as oral mucositis, cutting nursing hours and unscheduled hospitalizations by up to 25%. Thanks to tailor-made devices, unnecessary radiological exposure is reduced, improving clinical efficiency and ROI.

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