#3DExpress: The Sarco 3D Printed Suicide Pod Was Used for the First Time

This week’s news includes a number of interesting topics including the first use of a 3D printed suicide pod in Switzerland as well as a new production milestone for Carbon and Keystone Industries. The companies have announced the 3D printing of over a million parts for the dental sector! An impressive number, achieved in over 300,000 man-hours. Next up, learn more about 3D-printed oyster shells and a LEGO motorcycle designed using 3D printing. Then finish it up with a closer look at additive manufacturing in the Oil&Gas sector with news from Vallourec. Happy reading!

First Case of Use of 3D Printed Suicide Pod in Switzerland

Do you remember Sarco, a project developed by Australian Dr. Philip Nitschke in late 2021? It is an assisted suicide capsule, designed in part by 3D printing. Well, it has just been used for the first time in Switzerland. A 64-year-old woman suffering from an immune disease decided to end her life using the capsule. The capsule is flooded with nitrogen within minutes, causing death by hypoxia and hypocapnia. As you can imagine, this is a story that has caused quite a stir on the legal and ethical fronts, obviously raising many questions as well as a criminal investigation in the country.

One Million Parts 3D Printed on Carbon Machines

This week, resin 3D printer manufacturer Carbon announced that it had 3D printed over a million dental parts with its partner Keystone Industries, which specializes in resin formulation. It took 314,000 hours to design all the parts, as well as 11,200 liters of materials! Phil DeSimone, CEO and co-founder of Carbon, adds: “Reaching this milestone is a significant achievement for our partnership with Keystone and a clear indicator of the direction in which dental manufacturing is headed. We are not just a 3D printing company; we are pioneering a new era of high-volume custom manufacturing to meet the demands of today’s dental industry.” This milestone is indeed proof of the capabilities of additive manufacturing in the dental sector and shows how it impacts the value chain.

3D-Printed Oyster Shells

The Merrymeeting Shellfish Company, based in Bath, Maine, uses 3D printing in its shellfish farming business. Specifically, it has used the technology to improve shellfish production by creating hexagonal shells from biodegradable materials. These can be printed in just two hours, and enable the company to keep shellfish growing indoors during the winter months. Founder Matthew Nixon’s goal is to increase annual oyster spat production (spawned larvae that have permanently attached to a surface) from 60 million to 400 million next year. This innovation responds not only to the needs of local aquaculture, but also to the challenges posed by climate change, which has threatened oyster farms. Merrymeeting Shellfish is committed to maintaining production in Maine, emphasizing its role in reducing shellfish imports and improving coastal resilience, while addressing growing competition and environmental concerns.

A Lifesize, 3D Printed Motorbike

Do you like Lego? What about motorbikes? Well, if you answered yes to one or both, we have just the project for you! Engineer Matt Denton used a 3D printer to create his own rideable LEGO Technic 8810 cafe racer. Using an electric monkey motorbike as the vehicle body, the designer then created the oversized Lego parts to match the original set. The parts were made with PolyLite material and different 3D printing technologies. These ‘bricks’ then could be attached just like real Lego (though to ensure that they would stay in place, Denton did eventually bolt all the pieces together). Check out the video to learn more about the project, which is even Adam-Savage approved!

Vallourec and Metal 3D Printing

France’s Vallourec recently unveiled new 3D-printed metal parts, qualified for the demanding Oil & Gas sector. These are various pressure vessel components 3D printed using WAAM technology. As a reminder, in April 2023, the company integrated two 3D metal printing robots into its R&D center to offer parts of different sizes, with varying degrees of complexity, and to reduce its supply costs and lead times. Vallourec claims that it can manufacture pressure vessels using the WAAM process, in compliance with ASME Sec IX QW-600 requirements. We can’t wait to see the end result!

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*Cover Photo Credits: Reuters