Mini Series for Medical - Dental - 3D Printing

What is Additive Manufacturing?

Additive Manufacturing, more commonly known as 3D Printing, is also referred to as Rapid Prototyping (RP), Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM) and Additive Fabrication (AF).

It is a revolutionary manufacturing method for producing parts with complex geometries, low-volume manufacturing runs and prototypes. This method replaces traditional and typically more labor-intensive manufacturing methods, including subtractive manufacturing (cutting away and removing unneeded material) and forming and casting.

The additive manufacturing process generally involves adding thin layers of powdered material and using devices such as high-powered lasers to sinter or melt each layer to fuse it to the part being constructed. This process is based on CAD 3D models that are used as a guide or map for the process. The materials used in additive manufacturing can range from starch to photopolymer resins (polymer changes properties when exposed to light) to thermoplastics to metals, such as aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, Inconel alloys, and others.

3D printers are used in dentistry and prosthodontics to improve the design and creation of dental restorations, especially dental prostheses, including crowns, crown lays, veneers, inlays and onlays, fixed bridges, dental implant restorations, dentures (removable or fixed), and orthodontic appliances.

Like other CAD/CAM fields, CAD/CAM dentistry uses subtractive processes (such as CNC milling) and additive processes (such as 3D printing) to produce physical instances from 3D models.

This digital revolution brings with it considerable time and money savings, an improved patient experience, and lab workflow optimization. In just a few hours, 3D printers can produce surgical guides, models, castable prosthetics and much more.

Surgical uses of 3D printing-centric therapies have a history beginning in the mid-1990s with anatomical modeling for bony reconstructive surgery planning.   Hospital-based 3D printing is now of great interest and many institutions are pursuing adding this specialty within various departments.    The technology is being used to create unique, patient-matched devices for rare illnesses.

Several devices manufacturers have also begin using 3D printing for patient-matched surgical guides (polymers). The use of additive manufacturing for serialized production of orthopedic implants (metals).

The importance of a Risk Assessment

Whether the powders or materials used are metal or nonmetal, it is imperative that anyone considering using additive manufacturing perform a risk assessment on the process to determine the hazards involved and how those hazards will be managed. This analysis is a requirement for any combustible dusts used in the manufacturing process.  The 3D printers used in additive manufacturing usually require cleaning after the process is completed.  Control of fugitive dust emissions and housekeeping outside of (and around) the 3D printing equipment must also be considered. 

Vacuum systems for use in Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing:

The 3D printers used in additive manufacturing usually require cleaning after the process is completed.  This cleaning method will often include vacuuming the part, inside the device, or both, with a portable vacuum system.  Control of fugitive dust and housekeeping near (and around) the equipment must also be considered. 

Tiger-Vac manufacturers a complete line of vacuum systems for additive manufacturing and 3D Printing.  Our vacuum systems are available in electrically operated or pneumatic (air operated) versions.  We offer several equipment protection levels such as Dust Ignition Protected as well as Explosion Proof / Dust Ignition Proof Hazloc vacuum systems.