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Marvel Medtech Uses Additive Manufacturing by XJet To Prevent Breast Cancer

Marvel Medtech has developed a revolutionary way to defeat early-stage breast cancer by combining three unlikely counterparts: MRIs, cryotherapy, and the XJet Carmel 1400 Additive Manufacturing system.

Marvel Medtech is a US-based startup that is in business to battle breast cancer. Breast cancer kills more than 500,000 women worldwide each year. In the US alone, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Marvel Medtech’s innovation is a robotic guidance system that will destroy breast cancer cells at the time they are discovered – during breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Marvel Medtech’s cryotherapy probe, developed using XJet NanoParticle Jetting technology.

Ray Harter, President of Marvel Medtech, said, “Our new approach preempts the need for many biopsies, surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Obviously, the expectation is that it’s likely to save many lives, but it will also dramatically improve the quality of life for patients. In addition, we also know that by eradicating those procedures, it will also reduce overall healthcare costs. And these are not insignificant savings – annually, these could be in the many billions of dollars.”

Ray Harter, Founder and President of Marvel Medtech LLC

After identifying early-stage tumors during breast MRI scans, Marvel Medtech’s technology carefully targets the most dangerous cancer cells and applies cryoablation to freeze and destroy the cells before they could grow.

Marvel Medtech’s cryotherapy probe targetting cancer cells.

The technology transforms MRIs from a diagnostic-only tool into an actual treatment device.

The final challenge for Marvel Medtech was to develop the intricate probe that would work in conjunction with the MRI but not interfere with the machine’s magnetic field. The probe also needed to have very small features and possess complex geometry. 3D printing was the answer, but which printer could manufacture the appropriate material?

According to Harter:

“The tools used inside an MRI scanner must be compatible with strict safety guidelines, and crucially, not disrupt image quality. Because they are one of the most electrically insulating materials, ceramics are an ideal material to achieve this. However, we were unable to find a ceramic-based 3D printer able to accurately and cost effectively produce our ceramic probe. This is why we are adopting XJet’s Carmel 1400 solution.”

With XJet’s NanoParticle Jetting™ (NPJ) technology and the ability to 3D print zirconia (ceramic), Marvel Medtech was finally able to complete the last piece of their life-saving puzzle. They 3D printed the highly complex, ceramic cryotherapy probe. Now the company and its invention are poised to save thousands of lives, dramatically improve patient care, and save potentially billions of dollars in healthcare spending.

There are untold applications for 3D printing ceramic. Register for AMS 2020 and hear XJet’s Chief Business Officer, Dror Danai, talk about Marvel Medtech’s lifesaving probe at AMS 2020 in Boston, February 12 at 3:20. You will also hear him talk about other potential solutions NPJ technology can provide to industries around the world.

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Rapid Shape S+ series 3D printers launched – technical specifications

German 3D printer manufacturer Rapid Shape has launched a new range of DLP 3D printers designed for the jewelry industry. Named the S+ series, the company has developed four 3D printers for the new line: the Studio-Line S20+ and S30+, and the Heavy-Duty-Line S90+ standalone and S90+ cabinet. These 3D printers have been specifically optimized […]
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Beam IT Commits to Buy 15 Metal 3D Printers from SLM Solutions

After Sandvik acquired a substantial stake in June 2019, Beam IT has made a massive purchase of metal 3D printers from SLM Solutions. Italy’s largest 3D printing service bureau has signed a letter of intent to buy 15 selective laser melting (SLM) machines over the next three years.

The exact systems Beam IT intends to buy fall across SLM’s entire product range, including the SLM280, SLM500 and SLM800. In particular, the company is investing in the multi-laser and closed-loop powder handling technology featured on the machines. This, the Beam IT team believes, results in higher productivity and a more reliable, safe and efficient method for 3D printing parts. The purchase is a part of Beam IT’s expansion of its manufacturing plant, which is more than twice as large as the previous space.

A 3D-printed titanium part printed by Beam IT. Image courtesy of Beam IT.

Mauro Antolotti, Chairman and Founder of Beam IT, said of the agreement, “Through the replacement of single laser products with SLM Solutions` multi-laser technology we are able to increase our productivity and provide competitive pricing to our customers. By partnering with SLM Solutions, we can meet our customer’s requirements to build high quality parts at increased productivity and expand our facilities.”

The 15 machines will augment Beam IT’s existing array of 20 metal powder bed fusion machines already installed. The company’s AS 9100 certifications for aerospace, and NADCAP approval, make it a substantial firm in the service bureau sector.

An SLM Solutions 3D printer in Beam IT’s facility. Image courtesy of Beam IT.

The purchase also signals Sandvik’s increased strength in the AM space, which already consists of metal powders manufacturing and engineering services. As a leading engineering multinational, the company has implemented 3D printing to improve both its own products and those of its customers. This includes the CoroMill 390 milling cutter, steel sliding cases for LKAB Wassara, Varel’s nozzles for hard-rock drilling, and a coolant clamp for Seco Tools.

All of this is a part of Sandvik’s larger strategy of maintaining growth and the top position in the world of the $17 billion metal cutting tools market, of which it represents roughly one fifth. In turn, Sandvik, Beam IT and SLM Solutions stand to become increasingly important players in the 3D printing industry. This will obviously be beneficial to SLM Solutions, in particular. Not just because of the revenue generated from the sale of each machine, but also due to the revamp in its image after failing to secure an acquisition by GE in 2016.

Based on the types of projects and deals that the company has been involved in over the past several years, it seems as though SLM Solutions has recovered from the snafu. In addition to the significant partnership with Beam IT, SLM has been working with Honeywell for metal 3D printing qualification, selling machines to Rolls Royce, and involved in the 3D printing of parts for Bugatti, among other things.

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Smithsonian uses Mimaki 3DUJ-553 3D printer for hands-on exhibitions

Mimaki USA, a manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and cutters, and the Smithsonian are collaborating to use additive manufacturing within its museums and research centers exhibitions.  The Smithsonian Exhibits’ (SIE) studios, in Landover, Maryland, has installed a Mimaki 3DUJ-553 full-color 3D printer to support the development of engaging exhibits, as well as produce 3D printed […]
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AstroPrint 3D Printer Management Software opens new education plan beta access

Hartford, Connecticut – (January 28, 2019) After a successful test run, AstroPrint is opening today its second phase of a beta program for 3D Printer Fleet Management. This second phase will open the platform to an additional 100 institutions, primarily universities, schools, and other multi-user facilities that share 3D Printing resources.

In October of 2019 AstroPrint allowed just 10 organizations to test and give feedback on the first Beta version of the Fleet Management system. These institutions varied from Ivy League universities to K-12 schools. The feedback from these institutions helped shape the platform into the exact type of system needed in Multi-printer/Muli-user facilities.

Ideal candidates for the Beta program are Universities, Educational Districts, and Enterprises that have a fleet of 3D Printers, share them across multiple user types, and need to extract data/analytics on the usage of the machines.

Follow the link astroprint.com/beta-for-education to get your beta access now.

Hartford, Connecticut – (October 16, 2019)  AstroPrint is launching a bespoke version of its popular 3D Printer Management Platform for Universities, K-12 schools and other education institutions, aimed at making 3D printing more accessible to students, increasing the efficiency of school fleets, and reducing related costs in staffing and resources.

While rolling out the successful AstroPrint for Enterprise program earlier this year, several K-12 schools got in touch to integrate AstroPrint for their STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math) curriculum, while many universities wanted a better resource-sharing and control system for their 3D printer farms in their schools of Engineering, Architecture, and Art.

While their requirements were largely similar to enterprises, such as remote fleet management, automated control, and data-driven optimization to reduce cost and waste, we realized that education institutions had unique needs that were not characteristic of a commercially-run fleet.

For instance, schools typically see large cohorts enter and leave every academic year, and students are typically just starting to learn to use 3D printers and may not be conscious about printing efficiency and resource sharing. Moreover, most schools operate on tight budgets which limit available manpower, man-hours, and printing infrastructure and resources. The education version of AstroPrint is designed to address these demands of education.

Ease of Setup, Ease of Use

Designed for the education environment, AstroPrint for Education offers administrators advanced user management features such as the bulk import of new users during matriculation season, and can organize them into multiple user-groups with different roles assigned within each group. Each user role will be configurable with unique permissions, such as the ability to add to the print queue, start/stop prints, or modify printer queues.

SSO Integration, Multi-Platform Support

Access is also simplified for education institutions, with possibility for SSO integration with Active Directory, Google for Education, and other platforms, further reducing the complexity for adoption. Unlike enterprise environments, students may also use a variety of computer platforms and mobile devices. With AstroPrint for Education, they will be able to get full access from anywhere and on any platform, such as Chromebooks, Mobile Apps, or Desktop browsers.

Taking Out the Guesswork

With data-driven analytics built-in, stats such as printer performance, printer maintenance, filament usage, success/failure rates, and operator effectiveness will drive greater efficiency and less waste in tight-budget education environments. Administrators can now answer questions such as:  What are my funding needs/costs for the 3D Printer Farm?  What will it cost to scale the 3D Printer Fleet?  Which filaments give better print-success rates? What slicer settings work best in their facility? Do students that take a 3D Printing course get more successful prints?

Reduce Cost, Enhance Experience

Remote-control, system automation, and distributed governance means you can do more with less manpower and man-hours. Departments do not need to roster or hire dedicated staff to constantly watch the fleet, and are freed up to focus on more vital tasks. Students can be automatically funnelled into Smart Queues, depending on the prioritization of their projects and their level of training. This means that printer fleets can be controlled and monitored to prevent excessive spend on elective projects or non-approved prints.

Why it Matters to AstroPrint

“It was challenging to adapt our platform to the new multi-user plan but it was a clear market need that we kept hearing from our customers. The new plan gives you the reliability that you can expect from 5 years of experience building the best 3D Printing experience coupled with new superpowers that will help you manage your 3D Printer fleet,” commented Daniel Arroyo, CTO at AstroPrint.

“Feedback from the first universities has been very positive. We improved the platform a lot so every student feels comfortable using this technology, while administrators have the freedom to manage printers and users according to their specific needs,” added Raul Frutos, Head of Business Development at AstroPrint.

Sign up for Beta Testing Today

Get more information on AstroPrint for Education and sign up for the Beta Test today. AstroPrint for Education is slated for full release in early 2020.

About AstroPrint

AstroPrint is a venture-backed company with offices in Hartford, San Diego, and Malaga (Spain), and is the fastest growing cloud (IoT) platform in the Additive Manufacturing industry.  AstroPrint has processed over 2M 3D Prints from 100K+ users. AstroPrint’s cloud-based platform simplifies 3D Printing control, networking, and optimization processes for businesses, schools, and enterprises, as well as 3D printing enthusiasts.

AstroPrint Media Resources:  https://AstroPrint.com/media

Learn more about AstroPrint for Education:  https://www.astroprint.com/3d-printer-school-university

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Intech Additive Solutions launches iFusion SF1 and iFusion LFMulti SLM metal 3D printers

Intech Additive Solutions, a Bangalore-based manufacturer of Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) systems, has launched its latest range of 3D printers at the Indian Metal Forming Exhibition (IMTEX 2020).  Previously called Intech DMLS, the company’s new line of metal 3D printers, the iFusion series, consists of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) systems, the iFusion SF1 and […]
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Smart International Introducing Multimaterial Dryer for 3D Printing Filaments

Moisture is not your friend when it comes to 3D printer filament, as humidity can cause weakened material, which then leads to fragile prints, poor surface finish and adhesion, and also degradation. The filament can break in your printer or parts can warp or become very brittle.  If you just leave a PLA filament on your printer it will degrade in days, nylon in hours. That’s why it’s so important to keep your material dry before you use it.

Smart International, the 3D printing licensee for KODAK, just announced the launch of a new system that they say will help dry 3D filaments and materials up to ten times faster than other systems – the Smart3D Multimaterial Dryer.

“While typical drying cycles take between 8 – 48 hours and use heat which does not remove moisture completely, the Smart 3D MultiMaterial Dryer uses a hybrid technology to dry filament in as little as an hour,” Helen Blesky, the Marketing Manager for KODAK 3D Printing’s Global Brand Licensee Smart International, told 3DPrint.com.

The 892 x 500 x 825 mm machine, developed for the FFF 3D printing market, offers efficient 3D filament drying through the use of hybrid technology, and, as a Smart International press release states, integrates industrial drying “at end-user level.” By ensuring moisture-free filament, users of the Smart3D Multimaterial Dryer can achieve consistent and repeatable 3D printing results.

Most current solutions that work to combat moisture and humidity will dry filament through the use of heat, but this really isn’t the best solution to the problem. For starters, heat won’t even necessarily remove 100% of the humidity from filament, and it doesn’t allow different materials to dry at the same time. In addition, it can affect both the chemical and physical characteristics of the materials it’s being used to treat by up to several degrees, and it can take between 8-48 hours to run a full cycle.

The new Smart3D Multimaterial Dryer uses a hybrid technology that can ensure dry filament in as little as one hour – up to ten times faster than current methods of drying. With an internal storage capacity of 733 x 250 x 506 mm – equaling up to 30 spools able to be dried and stored inside – the system is compatible with any 3D printing filament with a spool diameter of up to 500 mm.

“This product is the natural result of our customers’ requests to complete the low moisture chain and guarantee repeatable prints. When we launched the Kodak filament line featuring low moisture and vacuum-sealed packaging, and the enclosed KODAK Portrait 3D Printer with its filament protection cases, humidity was not widely perceived as FFF 3D printing’s silent enemy as it begins to be understood now,” stated Demian Gawanski, CCO of Smart International. “Since then, with chemical giants strongly stepping onto our industry and broadening its range of applications, it hurts our eyes to see high performance filament go to waste, bake in ovens or centrifugate in salad spinners. We feel this completes the most comprehensive professional ecosystem on the market and inaugurates our new year of exciting Industry 4.0 compliant releases targeted at exacting customers.”

The system, with both Ethernet and USB connectivity, recognizes spools through RFID tags, and an intuitive 7″ touchscreen records all the ambient conditions inside the drying chamber. Each filament can be scanned as it’s stored, so it’s very easy to keep track of your stock of dried materials.

When it comes to energy consumption, the Smart3D Multimaterial Dryer is very efficient, as it uses up to ten times less energy than other filament dryers on the market; this allows users to process more material in a shorter amount of time. Speaking of materials, the new system’s drying process makes it possible to dry several different materials, such as TPU, PVA, and Nylon, at the same time.

This latest edition to the KODAK 3D Printing Ecosystem comes with a discount of 10% off the $4299 MSRP for pre-order customers throughout the month of February, or until the limited stock of systems runs out. Visit local resellers for availability; pre-ordered machines will ship out this April.

Discuss this story and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the Facebook comments below. 

[Images provided by Smart International]

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India: Researchers Continue to Review AM Processes in Bioprinting

In the recently published ‘A Review on Additive Manufacturing for Bio-Implants,’ authors Tajeshkumar R. Jadhav, Dr. Nitin K. Kamble, and Pradnesh R. Padave explore one of the most fascinating topics in 3D printing today as researchers make huge strides in developing medical devices with the use of innovative materials.

While some scientists are focused on the complex task of tissue engineering human organs, many others have made huge progress in the area of patient-specific treatment. This includes the development of devices like titanium bone implants, while others continue to develop new 3D printed prosthetics, dental and orthodontic implants, and more. In this review, researchers from Patil College of Engineering in Pune, India discuss scientific advances in the biomedical realm with digital fabrication.

As millions of patients are operated on daily, medical scientists, doctors, and surgeons are always exploring new ways to treat patients better. Tissue engineering and 3D printing are quickly moving to the forefront as one of the most innovative alternatives for tissue, bone, and organ regeneration, usually through the fabrication of scaffolding and other biocompatible structures used to promote growth. Additive manufacturing via extrusion is being used often with a wide range of materials to include polymers, inks, hydrogels, pastes, and more.

“While applications of bioprinting of oral tissues are still in early stages, this strategy has displayed interesting results in various preclinical studies and seems encouraging, progressing beyond templates and models,” state the researchers. “However, for successful clinical translation it is important to develop a road map, which includes studies to receive the required FDA approval and CE marking at an early stage in the process.

Additive rapid prototyping process diagram

Steps are being taken to create more safety and standardization guidelines, while also finding a balance with new developments and methods for making patient-specific treatment plans and customizations previously unheard of in medicine.

While the technology of 3D printing and additive manufacturing has already led to countless, groundbreaking inventions—some of which may substantially improve or even save lives—there are still many challenges to overcome; for instance, equipment is often out of reach financially, materials may be difficult to come by, and there are other complexities and inconveniences like processing and finishing issues.

Scientists use a variety of different methods today for the fabrication of bio-implants, to include:

  • Inkjet printing
  • 3D printing
  • Stereolithography
  • Selective laser melting
  • Bioprinting

Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)

 

Three-Dimensional Printing (3DP)

“Currently, there are three main ways that cells can be printed on the implants directly, (i) Inkjet, (ii) Extrusion and (iii) Laser Assisted Based (LAB). Indirect printing technologies do not print biomaterials. Such methods are used mainly for the construction of scaffolds which are then used for the seeding of cells, drug delivery systems, potential biochips or biosensors,” state the researchers.

Users have many options to choose from today but must be aware of the pros and cons of each method of digital fabrication, as well as that of different software, hardware, and materials.

Stereolithography (STL or SLA)

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

Researchers are already working on both the macro- and micro-scale, however, learning more about how to manipulate larger materials as well as nanosized particles during in vitro studies.

“Direct fabrication of implants and prosthetics is however limited to the direct metal AM technologies that can produce parts using FDA (The US Food and Drug Administration) certified materials plus the small number of technologies that are capable of non-load bearing polymer scaffolds,” concluded the researchers.

“As more inter-disciplinary researchers are recruited into the field together with the advancement in biomaterials, it is likely that AM machines and techniques will be further improved over the years.”

What do you think of this news? Let us know your thoughts! Join the discussion of this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com.

– Additively manufactured scaffolds for periodontal regeneration. (a)
Biphasic scaffold facilitating fiber orientation (b) Biphasic scaffold in
combination with cell sheet technology (c) Enhanced biphasic scaffold (d)
Triphasic scaffold (e) First additively bio manufactured scaffold for
periodontal regeneration applied in human

[Source / Images: ‘A Review on Additive Manufacturing for Bio-Implants’]

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NEW GUIDE: Machine Learning with Marshmallows and Tiny Sorter #machinelearning #teachablemachine #marshmallows #adafruit @adafruit

A new guide today in the Adafruit Learning System: Machine Learning with Marshmallows and Tiny Sorter

Machine learning is only about as complicated as cereal and marshmallows in this guide.

This project from Google uses a laptop’s built-in camera to identify various cereal and marshmallows. The computer then sorts them based on a model you train. A Circuit Playground Express communicates with the computer to decide when to sort which marshmallow/cereal via a micro servo.

See this new guide now!