Updated: Sep 9, 2020
3D printing enables numerous benefits especially for orthopedics because of the bone ingrowth capabilities. Complex parts can be manufactured, simultaneously, and also customized in different sizes, shapes, and designs instead of a one-size-fits-all solution.
A study from Smithers Rapra forecasts that 3D printed medical and pharmaceutical products will grow rapidly over the next 10 years, from $400 million in 2016 to a $6 billion market by 2027.
The technical properties of ceramics like are making them unavoidable for many companies involved in the biomedical industry. The main qualities such as outstanding biocompatibility, extremely porous structure, and mechanical strength make them highly desirable, as they can be applied to the 3D printing of bone substitutes, custom ceramic implants, and surgical tools.
With over decades of research and applications, SLA 3D printing technology brings a new dimension to answer the challenges of the biomedical industry such as manufacturing customized or small series of bone substitutes (intervertebral cages and tibial osteotomy wedges) and cranial or jawbone implants.
SLA works by producing ceramic components layer by layer, using a laser that polymerizes a paste composed of photosensitive resin and ceramic. The parts are then subjected to heat treatment (debinding, sintering) that eliminates the resin, and densifies the ceramic.