Shapeways and EOS Unleash PA 11: Revolutionizing Medical 3D Printing with Advanced Biocompatible Materials
In a significant leap forward for additive manufacturing in healthcare, Shapeways, a leading global 3D printing service provider, has announced the integration of Polyamide 11 (PA 11) into its extensive material portfolio. This strategic addition is set to profoundly impact the creation of customized 3D printed orthoses and prostheses, offering unparalleled flexibility and durability. PA 11, renowned as one of the most versatile and widely utilized materials in Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology, brings a new dimension of possibilities to medical device manufacturing. Concurrently, the New York-based company has reinforced its long-standing partnership with EOS, a German pioneer and global leader in industrial 3D printing, particularly adept in SLS processes. This revitalized collaboration aims to dramatically enhance the accessibility of advanced additive manufacturing solutions for healthcare professionals worldwide, democratizing the creation of highly personalized medical aids through the power of PA 11.
The burgeoning growth in 3D printing materials has been a key trend in recent years, a fact underscored by comprehensive industry analyses such as the Wohlers Report 2019. While the report highlighted significant advancements in metal additive manufacturing, it also acknowledged the tremendous success and increasing adoption of polyamide powders, often referred to as nylon powders. PA 11 stands out within this category due to its exceptional intrinsic properties, which make it ideal for a myriad of industrial applications. These properties include superior dimensional stability, ensuring that complex parts maintain their precise geometries under various conditions; very high thermal and chemical resistance, which is critical for medical devices that may undergo sterilization or exposure to different environments; and a remarkably low density, contributing to lightweight yet robust components. Recognizing these distinct advantages, Shapeways has strategically chosen to incorporate PA 11 into its service offerings, with the robust support and expertise of its long-term manufacturing partner, EOS. This move is poised to unlock new frontiers in customized medical solutions, from patient-specific orthotics to highly functional prosthetics.
Photo Credits: Shapeways
A Deep-Rooted Partnership: Shapeways and EOS Driving Innovation
The strategic alliance between Shapeways and EOS is not a recent development but rather a testament to a long-standing commitment to innovation, tracing its origins back to 2007. This enduring collaboration began with EOS, a pioneering German company, providing Shapeways with its initial suite of advanced industrial additive manufacturing machines. This foundational partnership enabled Shapeways to establish itself as a formidable force in the on-demand 3D printing service industry. Today, their collaboration reaches new heights with Shapeways’ integration of the cutting-edge EOS P 396 solution, a system specifically engineered for optimal performance with PA 11. This technological upgrade is a cornerstone of Shapeways’ strategy to expand its reach deeper into the medical sector, offering healthcare providers access to highly precise and durable components.
Greg Kress, CEO of Shapeways, shared his enthusiasm for this new chapter, reflecting on the company’s journey: “When we started the company, we could never have imagined having such a significant presence in the medical sector. The evolution of 3D printing technology and materials has truly opened doors we hadn’t envisioned.” Kress emphasized the profound impact this initiative is expected to have. “We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to work closely within the medical industry, leveraging PA 11 and our enhanced capabilities to create innovative products that will undeniably improve the daily lives of countless patients. This expansion into medical applications represents a core aspect of our mission: to make digital manufacturing accessible and impactful across all industries.” The move signifies not just a material addition but a strategic pivot to address critical needs within the healthcare landscape, offering personalized and efficient solutions where traditional manufacturing often falls short.
PA 11’s Transformative Impact on Medical Devices
This renewed partnership with EOS and the strategic introduction of PA 11 are poised to unlock unprecedented capabilities for the 3D printing of a wide array of medical devices. Beyond just prostheses and orthoses, this includes highly customized insoles, surgical guides, anatomical models for pre-operative planning, and other intricate medical aids. A critical advantage of the PA 11 material proposed by EOS lies in its superior elongation at break. This characteristic translates directly into enhanced flexibility and resilience, which are paramount in the fabrication of medical devices that interact directly with the human body. Greater flexibility ensures improved patient comfort, a more adaptive fit, and increased durability for devices that endure daily wear and tear, such as custom-fit braces or prosthetic components. This advanced mechanical property allows for designs that are not only anatomically precise but also forgiving and robust, offering a more natural feel and extended lifespan for critical patient solutions.
Glynn Fletcher, President of EOS North America, elaborated on the material’s groundbreaking potential: “PA 11 possesses the unique attributes to fundamentally transform the way the medical industry leverages 3D printing to achieve superior patient outcomes. Its combination of strength, flexibility, and biocompatibility opens new avenues for innovation in personalized medicine.” Fletcher further highlighted a significant environmental benefit of PA 11, noting, “It also has the distinct advantage of substantially reducing the negative ecological effects generally associated with petroleum-based plastics.” This is a crucial distinction, as this particular polyamide is derived from a bio-sourced product: castor oil. This renewable origin positions PA 11 as a more sustainable choice for manufacturing, aligning with growing global demands for environmentally conscious production methods. The ability to create complex, highly functional medical devices from a renewable resource represents a significant step towards more sustainable healthcare manufacturing, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental footprints while still delivering top-tier performance and patient benefits. This sustainable aspect, combined with its advanced mechanical properties, makes PA 11 a truly revolutionary material for the future of medical additive manufacturing.
Photo Credits: Shapeways
Beyond Healthcare: Versatile Applications of PA 11 in Diverse Industries
While the immediate focus of this announcement centers on medical applications, Shapeways and EOS were keen to emphasize the broader utility of PA 11 across various industrial sectors. Its exceptional material properties, including its optimal strength-to-weight ratio, high resistance to impact, and excellent fatigue performance, make it an indispensable material for a multitude of advanced engineering applications. The new material is highly suitable for 3D printing robust yet lightweight components for robotics, where intricate parts require both durability and precision without adding unnecessary mass. Similarly, in the rapidly expanding drone industry, PA 11 can be leveraged to produce aerodynamic and resilient frames or specialized components that withstand harsh operational conditions. Furthermore, its excellent electrical insulation properties and chemical resistance make it an ideal choice for manufacturing custom electronic enclosures and housings, offering superior protection for sensitive components in demanding environments. This versatility underscores PA 11’s position as a premium additive manufacturing material, capable of meeting the rigorous demands of innovation-driven industries beyond healthcare. For more detailed insights into this partnership and the capabilities of PA 11, interested parties can find additional information HERE.
The introduction of PA 11 by Shapeways, underpinned by their enduring partnership with EOS, marks a pivotal moment for the advancement of 3D printing. It not only promises to revolutionize the production of medical devices with custom, comfortable, and sustainable solutions but also extends significant benefits to other high-tech sectors. This strategic move reinforces the commitment of both companies to push the boundaries of what’s possible with additive manufacturing, driving innovation, and delivering tangible value to a diverse range of industries. The future of personalized, efficient, and environmentally conscious manufacturing is here, largely thanks to the power of materials like PA 11.
What do you think of this collaboration and the potential of PA 11 in medical 3D printing? Let us know your thoughts in a comment below or join the conversation on our Facebook and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter, with all the latest news in 3D printing delivered straight to your inbox!