3DExpress: World’s First 3D Printed Femur Transplant for Child With Bone Cancer

This week’s 3DExpress is full of exciting developments. First, we cover the world’s first femur transplant that succeeded with the help of a 3D printed femur. Then, we take a look at new collaborations: Women in 3D Printing is joining the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and Comau and Roboze announced a new partnership. We will also dive into Sculpteo’s launch of a new polyamide material, and finally, we’ll explore CEAD’s new Maritime Application Center, a state-of-the-art production facility for 3D printing boats. As always, happy reading!

World’s First Femur Transplant for Child with Bone Cancer

The Vinmec Healthcare System in Vietnam has achieved what many thought was impossible. After the sudden diagnosis of Tran Minh Duc, a boy from Ho Chi Minh, numerous doctors advised his family to amputate his leg for safety, as artificial joints cannot be used in children. Bone cancer usually occurs in older people, which made the medical operations particularly dangerous for Duc. Traditional methods carry a high risk of infection in children. Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Dung of the Orthopaedic Council at Vinmec Healthcare System, the leading private health insurance company in Vietnam, suggested an entirely new treatment: To replace the entire femur with a 3D-printed replacement. Duc was operated on in two phases. In phase 1, the tumor was removed and a cement bone was temporarily transplanted. Finally, in phase 2, the entire femur was replaced with a “customized” bone made of 3D-printed metal. Prof. Dr. Dung exclaimed, “The 4-hour surgery was a success. Duc recovered quickly without any complications, now he is able to walk with the support of physical therapy. The surgery represented a breakthrough in complex techniques. […] Both the life and limb of the child were kept intact.”

Women in 3D Printing Joins Forces with ASME

Nora Toure founded Women in 3D Printing (Wi3DP) in 2014 to support women in the AM industry. Since then, the organization has grown to over 13,000 members across 38 countries, becoming a force for diversity and inclusion in AM. Now, Wi3DP is entering a new chapter as it joins the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), where it will operate under ASME’s Programs & Philanthropy department. This transition opens the door to opportunities, enabling integration with ASME’s global network and initiatives. “This new chapter with ASME is a game-changer for Women in 3D Printing,” Toure said. “As a volunteer-led organization, we’ve done so much with so little, but with ASME’s support, we can finally tap into the resources we need to grow. ASME’s commitment to inclusive engineering, workforce development and innovation in additive manufacturing aligns perfectly with our mission. Together, we can expand our reach, scale our impact, and bring Wi3DP to even more communities around the world.” To learn more about the Wi3DP joining ASME, click HERE. 

Strategic Alliance Between Comau and Roboze

Italian companies Comau and Roboze have announced a collaboration to transform advanced technology by integrating robotic automation and additive manufacturing. The alliance aims to democratize on-demand production in sectors such as automotive, aerospace and energy, among others. Specifically, the two companies will develop solutions that combine “Roboze’s additive manufacturing technology and its high-performance materials with Comau’s advanced automation platforms.” In this way, they seek to support other companies with on-demand production lines, relocation strategies and new manufacturing models. Alessio Lorusso, CEO of Roboze, states, “Integrating our advanced 3D printing technologies with Comau’s robotic solutions presents a unique value proposition for global industry. Through this partnership, we’re poised to drive a meaningful transformation in our clients’ manufacturing capabilities, enabling them to be more innovative, agile, and sustainable.”

Sculpteo Launches New Polyamide, PA12 S

This week, the large 3D printing service provider Sculpteo introduced a new material for HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology. It is a polyamide 12 powder developed in collaboration with Arkema. The new material called “PA12 S” offers the same mechanical properties as standard PA12, but with a significant improvement in its composition that results in a better surface finish. How is it different from standard PA12? The new PA12 S (S for smooth) promises smoother finishes, has good chemical resistance, thermal stability up to 120 °C, low moisture absorption and is competitively priced. These improvements are due to the material’s particle size and distribution. While the particle distribution in standard PA12 is about 60 microns, the particles in PA12 S are more spherical, more uniform in size and have a distribution of about 40 microns. Thanks to this morphology, the material can obtain less rough surfaces. This makes Sculpteo’s new material ideal for both functional and aesthetic parts.

Maritime Application Center Opens for 3D Printing Boats

Large format 3D printing expert CEAD recently opened the Maritime Application Center, a state-of-the-art production facility for 3D printing boats. Covering an area of 2,300 m², CEAD develops and produces boats using large-format 3D printing, especially for shipbuilders who do not yet have corresponding technology. The center uses a specially developed 3D printing system that can automatically print hulls up to twelve meters in size. According to the manufacturer, the system produces boats much more efficiently than conventional 3D printers with robotic arms. The facility uses specially developed materials such as CEAD®HDPro, which are known for their impact resistance and maintenance-free properties. The MAC is not only used for production, but also for material development, software adaptation and process optimization. The aim is to push the MAC as a collaborative platform where industry partners can work together on solutions. By working closely with partners and customers, CEAD promotes innovation and accelerates the introduction of sustainable manufacturing technologies in the shipping industry. As Maarten Logtenberg, CTO of CEAD, emphasizes: “We have to figure out new things, but that’s exactly how real innovation happens.”

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