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How is SLS 3D Printing Being Used in Orthotics?

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  It's widely known that prototyping was one of the initial uses for SLS 3D printing and remains highly popular. However, as technology, materials, and post-processing have advanced to meet manufacturing standards, more professionals are shifting from traditional methods to 3D printing. They're moving beyond just prototyping to producing final parts. The orthotics industry provides a clear example of this shift. It focuses on creating orthoses, which are devices applied externally to affect the neuromuscular and skeletal systems. This sector has grown steadily alongside 3D printing advancements in medicine and prosthetics. A recent report forecasts the orthotics market to reach approximately $6 billion by 2028. This growth is driven by digital processes and 3D printing's ability to rapidly manufacture customized orthotics that are not only precisely fitted but also thin, durable, lightweight, and consistent. For deeper insights into how SLS 3D printing is transforming ortho

The Future of 3D Printing in Patient-Specific Prosthetics and Implants

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  According to Karsten Schlichter, global business development manager at Elkem Silicones, 3D printing offers greater flexibility and variability compared to traditional casting. Unlike casting, which involves creating molds for each item, 3D printing allows for more versatile manufacturing. Adjusting a mold manually lacks the precision of digital modeling. Each modification requires testing, success saves time, but failure restarts the iterative process, costing both time and money. With 3D printing, Schlichter highlights significant time savings, reportedly over 70%. This technology enables swift progression from concept to prototype to final product by allowing rapid iterations directly on the digital model, expediting the entire development process. FOR MORE -  The Future of 3D Printing in Patient-Specific Prosthetics and Implants

The 3D Printed Medical Implants Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.7%, with an expected market value reaching $2.5 billion by 2033.

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3D Printed Medical Devices & Implants Industry Size is estimated to exhibit a decent growth rate between 2024 and 2032, attributed to a rapid surge in demand for custom-printed medical implants and devices. The increasing incidences of dental and orthopedic disorders will push the demand for medical devices & implants, favoring the 3D printing production method. Based on components, the software segment is poised to foresee notable gain through 2032. There is high adoption rate of software components, aided by the increasing utilization of additive manufacturing technologies in the medtech industry. This includes spitting out a 3D-printable file of a medical image, ensuring that a 3D printer is printing to spec, designing a complicated 3D structure at a rapid pace.   The market is estimated to record substantial gains from the laser beam melting segment during 2024-2032, driven by the extensive usage of this powder bed-based additive manufacturing process. Various manufacturers
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  3D printing has transcended its initial use in prototyping to revolutionize full-scale manufacturing and the production of high-quality finished products. Initially developed for aerospace prototyping, 3D printing now significantly impacts various industries, including healthcare and cosmetics. This technology enhances the flexibility of manufacturing sites and lines, making supply chains more agile. Traditional manufacturing relies on product-specific tooling, necessitating retooling for product modifications or variations. In contrast, 3D printing eliminates the need for tooling. A single 3D printing system can produce a wide range of products using various materials, thereby increasing production line flexibility and speeding up time to market. Supply chains that incorporate 3D printing become more agile, resilient to unexpected disruptions, and better equipped to respond to market demand changes. Processes like CNC milling or injection molding in traditional manufacturing require

How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing Additive Manufacturing

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  Additive manufacturing is one of the key areas of manufacturing in which artificial intelligence is making an impact. The two technologies — AI and additive manufacturing — have risen sharply in adoption over the past several years, and we are now seeing the benefits that they can yield by working together. AI in additive manufacturing is providing quality improvements, boosts to innovation and productivity, and has an overall positive impact on profit margins and the bottom line. FOR MORE -  How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing Additive Manufacturing

3D Printing Blog | Locanam Blog Post

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  The Locanam Blog is your go-to source for the latest developments in the 3D printing industry. We explore the dynamic interplay between 3D printing technology and various sectors, keeping you informed about groundbreaking innovations and trends. 3D Printing Blog | Locanam Blog Post

Biomimicry With 3D Printing

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Biomimicry and 3D printing are increasingly being integrated, particularly as more natural materials are developed and innovative patterns or structures are introduced into part design. Specifically, 3D printing plays a significant role in replicating nature. This approach is applicable across a wide range of industries, including architecture, consumer goods, and fashion. One example is the creation of a 3D-printed biomimetic shoe using SLS technology and flexible TPE, a material that provides excellent comfort and flexibility. This unique design, inspired by roots and life, is depicted below. Another project is the Pleurobot, a salamander robot capable of swimming underwater or crawling like a real salamander. Developed by the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, the robot features 3D-printed bones and motorized joints that imitate the movements of a salamander. FOR MORE - https://www.locanam.com/post/biomimicry-with-3d-printing