AddUp and Acrotec partner to advance Additive Manufacturing in healthcare sector
June 9, 2022
AddUp, based in Cébazat, France, has entered into a partnership with Acrotec Group, one of the largest European players in medical contract manufacturing headquartered in Develier, Switzerland, to further develop Additive Manufacturing in the healthcare sector.
The Acrotec Group, through its Acrotec Medtech division, is focused on the spine, traumatology and dental sectors and produces implants and instruments to be used for surgical procedures. Over the years, the group is said to have mastered the skills necessary to manufacture precision components and sub-assemblies for medical devices, specifically in the machining and finishing of metal parts. This experience is reported to have made Acrotec Medtech a trusted industrial partner for the production of spinal and dental implants as well as many instruments used in surgical procedures.
The use of Additive Manufacturing in the healthcare industry is increasing, thanks in part to a reduction in cost when compared to traditional manufacturing and an improved design with options for personalisation. AM allows the creation and production of parts with complex and organic geometries which would be impossible or costly to produce using traditional CNC manufacturing technology. Additive Manufacturing also offers the opportunity to create personalised devices for patients to help transform healthcare.
“Players in the medical field have understood all the benefits of metal 3D printing and many implants or instruments are already manufactured using this technology,” stated Julien Marcilly, Deputy CEO at AddUp. “As a supplier of metal 3D printers and parts, AddUp chose to partner with an experienced and recognised innovative partner, Acrotec. With Acrotec’s knowledge of the Medtech industry and expertise in precision machining and AddUp’s mastery of the metal 3D printing process, our partnership will offer the best solutions for customers in this demanding market.”
AddUp states that it has been working in close collaboration with customers in the medical industry to develop and manufacture a wide variety of implants (cranial implants, knee prostheses, hip prostheses, shoulder prostheses, etc.) and instruments for surgeons and health professionals.
These high-precision tools meet strict manufacturing standards that AddUp’s customers, which have been active in the medical field for several years, have mastered. In addition, among the many materials available on its FormUp 350® machines, AddUp offers recipes for shaping ELI (Extra Low Interstitial) titanium. This grade of titanium is commonly used by most manufacturers of surgical implants and prostheses. Along with its biocompatibility, ELI titanium is non-magnetic and has very high mechanical characteristics.
The partnership between Acrotec and AddUp will enable the development of additive and industrial solutions dedicated to the medical sector, which is constantly evolving and looking for more innovative tools.
François Billig, CEO of the Acrotec Group, “With AddUp as a partner, we are trying to push metal 3D printing technology to its limits in terms of part sizes and associated material health. The quality of AddUp’s printing systems, as well as the expertise and motivation of the teams, have allowed us to move forward in an open and efficient way in this initiative. We are confident that through our partnership, Acrotec can now develop and utilise this technology with its customers in the Medtech sector.”
