3D Systems introduces digital Additive Manufacturing platform for dental implants
March 21, 2017
3D Systems, Chicago, Illinois, USA has unveiled a new Additive Manufacturing platform based on the company’s Figure 4 technology and NextDent materials. The company reports that the new platform may reduce operation cost by up to ten times, as well as significantly reducing manufacturing times and material waste.
3D Systems has long-standing ties to the dental market, including many years as a key figure in the aligner category, and states that it is well-positioned to lead the next evolution of the dental industry. The company’s Figure 4 AM printer technology has been developed over several years, and the company recently acquired NextDent, the Netherlands’ portfolio of 12 clinically effective materials with regulatory approvals in over 70 countries.
Vyomesh Joshi, President and CEO of 3D Systems, stated, “Traditional milling machines only mill one crown at a time, making the process slow, ineffective and costly. […] Our system can print 20–30 crowns in fewer than 15 minutes, which is the same time it takes most milling solutions to produce just one single crown.”
3D Systems will offer its new platform in two main forms: A modular Additive Manufacturing platform to enable smaller labs to cost-effectively produce dental implants and products, and a fully automated solution for larger labs producing more than 1 million crowns or other dental indications per year. The company plans to begin shipping in Autumn 2017.
