Prototyping / 3D Printing

Since its conception in the 1980s, 3D printing has been utilised across many different industries for multiple applications. 3D printing for medical devices is typically associated with the design & development stages and is often also referred to as additive manufacturing.

Medical 3D printing is a process that creates a three dimensional version of your product by building successive layers of raw materials.  Each new layer is attached to the previous one until the product is complete. The products are produced from a digital 3D CAD drawing.

The key to knowing when to use 3D printing is understanding which 3D printing method is most beneficial for your application. Mi3 have the experience to understand the technicalities of 3D printing prototypes and finished products, and understand the benefit of not only providing a printed component, but a full package of knowledge around this technology. This makes us ideally suited to being the partner of choice to advise our customers on the best 3D printing and prototypinh methods available and their suitability to their specific applications.

Stage 1: First-off Prototypes

There are often two main stages in the prototyping process: the first is your first-off medical device prototype based on initial design drawings and specifications. This prototype is crucial to get a better understanding of the look and feel of the device and how it will work. This is an essential part of the medical device design process and is used to improve and enhance the design.

There may be many iterations at this initial prototype stage.

Stage 2: Testing and Evaluation

The second stage is the final prototype at the end of the design process – this often also involves manufacturing a small batch of the prototype medical device to be used for testing and evaluation.

This prototype can also be validated and compliant with regulations.