We are AIM, a modern company using additive manufacturing (3D printing) to create products with complex structures. We offer our customers unprecedented flexibility in the design and manufacturing of components in polymers and metals using additive manufacturing technology for industry, biomedicine and medical technology application. Where complexity is the norm, frequent design changes are common
and speed and cost of design changes are important, AIM Sweden can assist. Biomedical engineering is one of the main beneficiaries of additive manufacturing technology. The technology is an excellent tool in creating “spare parts” suitable for the human body as well as making special tools and equipment. Individualization in patient treatment is one of the key directions in modern medicine and additive manufacturing technology makes this possible. High precision, better quality, lower cost and speed of design of implants are some of the benefits found in the technology. WE OFFER
– The design and manufacturing of individually designed biomedical implants (Ti64, CoCr) based on the specifics of the clinical case and intended application (intended load capacity, permanent or temporary implants, functionalization of the implant surfaces including roughness and lattice structures);
The design and manufacture of special tools for the operation (saw guides, plates,mm) in polymers and metal. The design and manufacture of pre-operative models (polymers). The design and manufacture of educational anatomical models (polymers, metal). Photo: Rikard Ek
Design based on patient specific CT scan
The process for an individually designed implant always starts from the individual patient’s specific CT (computed tomography) scan. A 3D model of the damaged bone is created on a computer and is used as a basis for the design of the implant. In this way, the screws are placed in optimal positions on the bone model and the implant is designed for the patient’s specific needs. By using additive manufacturing we have the ability to manufacture part of or the whole implant with an open structure to create opportunities for packing of bone material and create a support structure or surface adapted for osseous ingrowth.
3D printed plastic models for pre-operative planning
At AIM Sweden, we have two different machines used for 3D printing of plastic models. The SLS (Selective laser sintering) technology, is used to produce pre-operative bone models, drill- and saw guides in nylon that can be sterilized and used as support during the operation. The FDM (fused deposition modeling) technology is used to quickly manufacture models with a lower material quality used outside of the operating theatre (not possible to sterilize). Plastic models of reconstructed skeletal deformities are used as tools for pre-planning of surgeries. They can also be used as templates to pre contour a fixation plate for an optimal fit on specific bone with its specific deformity. The saw guides, drill guides, pre-bent plates, among others shorten the time in the operating room, improve quality and reduce the total cost. Models for education in medical school and after
With 3D print technique we create functional models for training in medical education. Special deformities/injuries can be reconstructed that are otherwise difficult to practice in advance. These functional models help the students to better understand these injuries, as well as, find good solid methods and procedures for recovery. AIM Sweden offers our industrial clients a technology suited for many applications. Where design changes are frequent, product structures complex, material consumption and waste a goal, additive manufacturing offers unique solutions. Additive manufacturing offers an extremely quick and cost effective way to change design in a product. We do not need to create a new flow in manufacturing, adding new manufacturing stations and processes. We create a design change using CAD data without tools, send it electronically to the machine. The machine is the same whatever the design. COMPLEX STRUCTURES
Complex structures are ideal for additive manufacturing. Is your product porous, have channels built in, or in any other way bring challenges for convetional manufacturing? Additive manufacturing offers excellent solutions to cope with complexity. WEIGHT REDUCTION
Weight reduction is an important aspect of almost all product components. The additive manufacturing technology offers unique opportunities to reduce the weight of any solid structure, by building porous materials with the same or better product characteristics. MATERIAL CONSUMPTION
Is your company’s aim to be GREEN? Use less material and only what is needed? Since additive manufacturing uses a technology where we add material not subtract, additive manufacturing is a prime vehicle to reduce material consumption. Use additive manufacturing and move down the path to be green.
