Top 5 Videos: World’s First 3D printed Skull Implant

This week we found the top 5 videos about 3D printing and the way additive manufacturing is changing production. The technology has infiltrated many sectors, from medical to automotive – check our selection of the week to keep up with the innovations! If you enjoy these, you can view even more 3D printing videos on our Youtube channel. Hope you’ll enjoy and have a great Sunday!

Top 1: World’s First 3D-printed Skull Implant

A remarkable breakthrough in additive manufacturing for medical applications – a 3D printed skull implant proves to be a success. Dr Michael Wagels with the help of about a dozen assistants performed 11-hour long implantation of a 3D printed bone into the skull of Brodie Ellis, an Australian man who had suffered a horrific motorbike accident in Vietnam. The 3D printed replacement is not supposed to be permanent, on the contrary, the great advantage of this implant is that it is perfectly absorbable! The material will be gradually dissolving with time until eventually, it disappears completely, and in its place, a new bone will be formed.

Top 2: GE Additive’s Pro Bono for the Animals

GE Additive, one of the leading companies in additive manufacturing and design has cooperated with Cincinnati Zoo to enhance the living conditions of its animals. Zoo managers have long been trying to find the best way to mimic natural feeding behavior – an important factor in wild animals’ well-being. GE Additive’s AddWorks came up with an innovative solution to manufacture a special feeder, it looks like a log with barklike surface and can be used in different habitats. Since additive technology allows total freedom in design, they were able to replicate any shape and texture that they needed; as a result, the device looks perfectly natural within the environment!