Freemelt to demonstrate serial production capabilities of orthopaedic implants using its eMELT PBF-EB
November 26, 2024
Sweden’s Freemelt AB, based in Mölndal, has entered into a strategic agreement with a global orthopaedic implant original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to demonstrate the serial production capabilities of its Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-EB) Additive Manufacturing process.
Including the previously announced order from another implant OEM, Freemelt now has two orthopaedic implant OEMs among its established customers.
This partnership is reported to mark a significant milestone for Freemelt, as the company’s industrial machine, eMELT, has been selected by the OEM for a proof-of-concept project to demonstrate serial production capabilities. The eMELT machine will be installed at the OEM’s production plant in Q2 2025, marking the beginning of the proof-of-concept phase.
“We are thrilled to have been selected by this esteemed OEM, a true leader in the adoption of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology. This partnership is a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication to delivering industry-leading productivity and cost efficiency in AM. We look forward to working closely with our new partner to accelerate serial production in Additive Manufacturing,” stated Daniel Gidlund, CEO of Freemelt.
The demand for AM-produced implants is projected to grow significantly, from $1.7 billion in 2023 to $6.6 billion by 2032, driven by aging populations and increasing joint replacement needs. Freemelt’s eMELT machine is well-positioned to meet this growing demand, offering industry-leading productivity and cost efficiency, particularly for titanium, a material ideally suited for orthopaedic implants due to its biocompatibility, strength, and durability.
As part of the partnership, Freemelt will contribute its extensive expertise in PBF-EB technology and provide process and application engineering support to the project. This collaboration looks to enable the OEM to leverage Freemelt’s expertise and technology to drive innovation and growth in the orthopaedic implants market.
