Renishaw to present its additive manufacturing capabilities during RAPID + TCT show

Renishaw is returning to RAPID + TCT, the additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing event to share its expertise in medical device manufacturing.

On the first day of the event Marc Saunders, director of AM applications at Renishaw, and Alexis Dang, chief medical officer at PrinterPrezz will take part in the AM technical insights forum. The talk will explain the clinical and manufacturing considerations with AM spinal implants. It will also explore the growing capabilities of AM technologies, and how they can be used in the medical sector to improve productivity when manufacturing customisable implants.

The talk will complement Renishaw’s exhibition of its latest AM system - the RenAM 500Q. This system includes four 500 W lasers in the most commonly used platform size. Speeding up the AM build process will increase productivity for manufacturers and lead to a reduction in cost-per-part, an increase in return on investment and a reduction in process waste. This will allow AM to be used in applications that were previously uneconomical.

Renishaw will also demonstrate its QuantAM build preparation software at the event. The dedicated software tool has an intuitive workflow and easy navigation to allow users to rapidly prepare models for the AM process. This software has been developed specifically for use with Renishaw AM systems.

“AM enables the design and manufacture of more complex medical devices”, explained Saunders. “By reducing design constraints, clinicians and medical device manufacturers can dedicate their time to catering for more complex conditions, match devices to an individual’s anatomy and, in many cases, promote osseointegration.”

“Our presentation will explore the clinical benefits of spinal implants that have been designed with the patient in mind”, added Alexis Dang. “When clinicians and engineers collaborate to utilise advanced AM technologies, designs are optimised for improved patient fit and enhanced osseointegration, for AM and optimal post-processing. Our aim is to bring more advanced medical devices to market more quickly.”

“Using software specifically designed for Renishaw AM platforms allows users to unlock all the benefits of AM”, continued Saunders. “Manufacturers can use QuantAM software for tighter integration into the machine control software and to accurately and rapidly review all build files for Renishaw AM systems.”

At Renishaw, Saunders manages a global network of solutions centres for metal additive manufacturing, enabling customers who are considering deploying AM as a production process to gain hands-on experience with the technology before committing to a new facility.

Alexis Dang is a board-certified orthopaedic sports surgeon. He is a HS clinical associate professor at UCSF. Along with his brother, Alan Dang, he started the Orthopaedic Rapid Intelligent Fabrication (ORIF) program at UCSF/San Francisco VA and is a founding member of the UCSF centre for applied 3D+ technologies. Dang is also chief medical officer at PrinterPrezz, a trailblazer in combining metal 3D printing, nanotechnologies, and surgical expertise to design and manufacture next generation medical devices.

The event will take place from the 21st to the 23rd of May 2019 at the Cobo Centre in Detroit, Michigan. Renishaw will be on Booth 827 at the event.