Know how to do it – efficient manufacturing with 3D printing

Challenges

The Swiss MedTech sector purchased products and services worth almost 18 billion francs in 2019. Additive manufacturing offers great opportunities for the approximately 1,400 companies in the country. However, at the moment many are still focusing on the risks when launching the technology: they are put off by high investment costs for machines and qualified staff who work with initiative even at the part construction stage and who recognize which parts can be produced efficiently with 3D printing. Swiss m4m Center has set itself the task of introducing customers to all topics around 3D printing. CEO Nicolas Bouduban's team also provides complete individually designed processes for the production of medical technological products using additive manufacturing.

Solutions

Swiss m4m Center provides training courses and professional development opportunities for additive manufacturing as well as very practical application examples. The company has also invested in a TruPrint 2000. Swiss m4m Center uses the machine to produce parts made of stainless steel 1.4542 / 17-4PHr in a qualified production environment in accordance with ISO 13485. "The machine," explains Nicolas Bouduban, "is very flexible. It can be used to print individual pieces economically as well as small to medium series." The relatively large build volume of the TruPrint 2000 facilitates a construction volume of 200 x 200 millimeters. The 300-watt fiber laser with a beam diameter of 55 micrometers guarantees outstanding print results and surface qualities even with complex, delicate parts. The TruPrint 2000 offers the possibility of developing productivity with the multilaser option. The Fullfield Multilaser is equipped with two 300-watt fiber lasers which scan the entire build volume simultaneously. The fully automatic calibration of the multilaser scanning fields to each other ensures maximum precision.

Implementation

Swiss m4m Center developed a medical gripper for demonstration purposes. Its delicate and complex structures are designed to show customers the opportunities of 3D printing. "The TruPrint 2000 printed the surgical instrument seven times from stainless steel 1.4542 / 17-4PH within just a few hours," explains Bouduban and continues: "This example should demonstrate to customers how easy prototype construction can be with additive manufacturing. The TruPrint 2000 also offers the option of producing small series of special products quickly and economically." The simple operation of the machine, as well as its uncomplicated part and powder handling make the system an ideal entry-level machine for Bouduban. "The TruPrint 2000 does not overwhelm its user, yet still offers enough options so that capacities limits are not reached immediately."

Forecast

There is a great deal of interest in the services of Swiss m4m. Nicolas Bouduban is confident: "There are many opportunities for 3D printing in the MedTech sector. More and more companies are starting to grapple with the technology. We provide a jump-start. Machine manufacturers know best which parameters have to be selected for individual applications and how the laser needs to control a component. TRUMPF is ready to share this know-how with us and with our customers. This is an important prerequisite as we work to convince our customers."