Stratasys 3D printers have been at the heart of healthcare parts manufacture for many years, but the American-Israeli firm’s investment in the Northern Ireland-based medical printing specialist is set to drive a new wave of innovation in this all-important sector.
What’s the news and why is it significant?
In November, the significant news broke that Stratasys had invested an initial $10 million in the medical 3D printing company Axial3D (part of a total cash injection of $15 million). The Northern Ireland-based startup has already made an impression in the sector, enabling clients to easily segment medical files and convert them into 3D printable models using print preparation software.
Now, demonstrating Stratasys’ commitment to innovation in the healthcare sector, the investment marks the start of a partnership that will see the two firms jointly bring a patient-specific medical 3D printing solution to market.
How will Stratasys’ investment in Axial3D assist the medical sector?
Stratasys has always supported the medical sector with industry-led hardware like the J850 3D printer, ideal for creating patient-specific anatomical models. Stratasys’ PolyJet print technology also excels at producing the accurate full-colour objects that are invaluable for teaching and planning surgeries, while its Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is routinely chosen for printed pathology tools.
The healthcare sector has been quick to adopt 3D printing, with many modern western hospitals now boasting their own dedicated print labs that not only help sharpen their personnel’s skill-set but also save on everything from shipping costs to inventory space. Now, a partnership between Stratasys and Axial3D will not only offer a complete solution to existing advocates of AM, but open up the tech to other medical institutions around the world.
What does Stratasys say about its investment in Axial3D?
“Many of the world’s leading hospitals are already benefiting from our MediJet and Digital Anatomy 3D printers for medical models. We believe that by working together with Axial3D, we can remove the barriers to entry for the remaining majority of hospitals in many countries around the world, dramatically growing the use of 3D printing in pre-surgical planning so it is truly a standard part of patient care. This is about providing a complete tailored solution for customers that is fast, automated and scalable.”commented Stratasys CEO Yoav Zeif.
Ask Tri-Tech 3D’s experts about medical 3D printing and more Tri-Tech 3D is one of the UK’s leading authorities on additive manufacturing, helping some of the world’s most ambitious medical firms find the 3D printers and materials that suit, while offering the expert installation and training to get the most from them.
You can read about our experience in the medical sector here. But that’s just the start. Whatever industry you’re in, whether you’d like to hear more about our range of Stratasys 3D printers and materials, or ask about our 3D printer training, we’re ready to talk today on 01782 916177 or [email protected]
