3D printing demo youtube


8 Helpful And Informative 3D Printing YouTube Channels

These 3D printing YouTube channels will help you expand your knowledge, fuel your imagination and inspire creativity.

3D printing scene is vast and diverse almost like a universe with professional engineers creating spaceship prototypes to home DIY makers designing a cup holders for their cars. The same goes for 3D printing YouTube channels. You can easily find experienced makers who explain how the technology works as well as crazy nerds building their own Iron Man suits in a basement.

Source: 3D Printing Nerd

It’s now easier to find your favorite channel with our list below. These picks aren’t in any particular order because we love and respect all of these guys!

The Maker’s Muse

Run by Angus, The Maker’s Muse offers a wide range of helpful videos. People starting their adventure with 3D printing should definitely check the 101 series in which Angus explains whether it’s better to print with ABS or PLA, how to choose infill settings, which slicing software to choose from and much more. He also records a lot of vlogs and does live streams in which he answers user questions, recommends various tech, shares his extensive knowledge, and talks about topics like how to make money with a 3D printer. Some of his videos are just fun to watch, like the one from his recent trip to the electronics market in Shenzhen, China.

3D Printing Nerd

Joel is a true 3D Printing Nerd from Seattle. His channel includes unboxing videos, reviews of various 3D printers, tips and tricks on how to print and post-produce your work, and many interesting videos about his own projects. He prints various items from party gadgets to mini nuke flower pots and huge video game gun replicas. In fact, his most popular video so far is a tutorial on how to assemble an awesome 3D printed gun from Destiny video game (with working parts but still a harmless cosplay prop).

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3D Printing

Joe is calling himself a 3D printing professor and he really deserves this title. His 3D Printing channel is filled with very informative videos about the technology, its various applications, as well as tips and tricks on how to use it. He also records very interesting lectures (hence the professor) about market trends, things every 3D printer owner should have or cold, hard truths about owning a digital fabrication machine.

Thomas Sanladerer

Thomas Sanladerer specializes in desktop and open-source RepRap-like 3D printers and shows his viewers what is possible with these machines and what’s not. His channel is the place to go when you search for tips about specific materials or comprehensive reviews of various 3D printers. Thomas also records guides for building your own 3D printer from scratch, which are one of the most comprehensive ones out there.

Print That Thing

This is one of the most fun and optimistic from all 3D printing YouTube channels. At Print That Thing Jwall shares his designs and 3D prints requested by his friends and fans. He only needs a few minutes to design a cool gangsta necklace or a fantasy sword in Tinkercad 3D modeling software. But one of his most amazing projects is a set of cat armor that he later expanded with a special helmet, so his cat could stay safe in the urban jungle.

James Bruton - XRobots

The first time we mentioned James Bruton on this blog was in our 7 bizarre 3D printing applications piece to praise his outstanding work in designing real-life, human-sized robots and (almost) working Iron Man costume. Subscribe to his XRobots channel to follow every step of the manufacturing process. From him, you can learn not only about 3D printing but also molding, post-processing, applying working electronics, and much more.

Barnacules Nerdgasm

Before becoming a full-time nerd with hundreds of thousands of viewers, Barnacules worked as a software developer at Microsoft, so he knows a thing or two about programming and technology. No wonder then, that 3D printing is among his main interests on Barnacules Nerdgasm, right after video games of course. He often guest-stars at smaller 3D printing channels and recommends awesome designs he found around the web like he did recently with a Tracer Pistol model inspired by the Overwatch video game.

Simone | FNTSMN

Simone Fontana is a young 3D designer and 3D printing enthusiast from Italy who recently started his own business. On his Simone | FNTSMN YouTube channel he shares his extensive knowledge about the technology as well as shows his awesome projects. Awesome is the right word for literally all of them, like for example his custom 3D printed penny skateboard that was already tested by a few famous skaters. He also makes various stunning guns and video games props which are 3D printed and painted to look like the real deals.

Do you know other 3D printing YouTube channels?

Sure you do!

Let us know in the comments which other 3D printing YouTube channels do you consider worth watching and recommend them to others.

The best 3D printing YouTube channels in 2021

Many new 3D printing YouTubers run successful channels, and many 3D printing creators have grown tremendously – from a few subs to a few thousand in a few months, sometimes way more!

We spend a lot of time exploring YouTube and searching for great video content on additive manufacturing to create the most comprehensive list of 3D printing YouTube channels to date.

From 3D printer unboxing to filament reviews, 3D printing tutorials, how-to’s, live streams, and more, discover more on 3D printing with the channels below. We highlighted the super fast-growing channels with a little fire emoji (growth rate above 500% in terms of subscribers between March 2017 and September 2018).

List of the best 3D printing YouTube channels

YouTube channelSubs count (Sep’ 2018)Growth rate**CategoryCountry
I Like To Make Stuff2,033,24470%MakerUS
Barnacules Nerdgasm940,56910%Tech reviewerUS
James Bruton603,30134%Cosplay/propsUK
Naomi ‘SexyCyborg’ Wu 🔥560,5203119%MakerChina
Punished Props363,008114%Cosplay/propsUS
Maker’s Muse331,814355%3D printingAustralia
Make Anything // 3D Printing Channel300,629134%3D printingUS
RCLifeOn 🔥285,293591%Tech reviewerSweden
3D Printing Nerd258,855225%3D printingUS
Thomas Sanladerer172,519123%3D printingGermany
3D Print Guy131,052374%3D printingCanada
Uncle Jessy86,445361%Cosplay/propsUS
Ivan Miranda77,732MakerSpain
Gear Down For What65,043MakerUS
Tech3C47,55799%3D printingAustralia
3D Maker Noob 🔥37,1841254%3D printingMalta
Jaidyn Edwards34,32814%MakerAustralia
Chaos Core Tech32,073370%3D printingUS
CHEP 3D Printing25,41069%3D printingUS
ModBot23,98227%Tech reviewerUS
3D Printing Professor21,431250%3D printingUS
Mold3D TV20,63663%3D printingUS
The Hot End18,386137%3D printingAustralia
PRINT THAT THING17,74021%3D printingUS
DIY Engineering 🔥14,943514%MakerUS
Hoffman Engineering13,29591%3D printingUS
A Pyro Design13,091224%3D printingUS
Richard Horne11,42741%3D printingUK
NeatherBot11,22793%MakerUS
Daniel Norée11,227102%MakerSweden
ProfDrafting10,637130%3D printingUS
Kirby Downey10,6097%Cosplay/propsUK
3D Print – Tech Design10,39892%3D printingSweden
Nerdly9,991340%3D printingUS
3D Central9,71655%3D printingUS
Joe Mike Terranella9,480180%3D printingUS
FugaTech 3D Printing9,256619%3D printingUS
Jimmy Shaw’s Tidbits 🔥8,583545%3D printingUS
Simone | FNTSMN7,9526%3D printingUK
Mr. Crankyface7,441153%MakerSweden
Zbysek Pilny7,214333%MakerCzech Republic
The 3D Print General6,7233D printingUS
Desktop Makes 🔥6,719977%3D printingUS
That 3D Print Guy6,201258%3D printingAustralia
JAT.MN5,76980%3D printingUS
3DprintedLife5,51126%3D printingUS
Make It And Fake It 🔥5,422271000%3D printingUS
Print 3D Channel 🔥 5,406 798% 3D printing US5,406798%3D printingUS
TashTech5,19071%3D printingSouth Africa
Novice Expert4,66268%3D printingUS
Think Making4,662160%3D printingHonduras
Nillabean4,58880%Tech reviewerUS
doodaddoes4,58133%3D printingUS
Andreas Hölldorfer4,33629%Tech reviewerGermany
XYZAidan4,284252%Tech reviewerUS
3D Print Everything4,125261%3D printingUS
3d Print Creator3,629147%3D printingNetherlands
Abuzz Designs3,605127%3D printingUS
BusyBotz3,406-1%3D printingUS
D-Tech3,314297%3D printingUS
Model3D3,301114%3D printingUK
Practical Printing 🔥3,2704709%3D printingUS
Bobot’s Trains and Maker Zone2,99036%MakerUS
PatchBOTS2,928Cosplay/propsUS
Dream 3D2,91660%3D printingUK
TGAW2,90927%3D printingUS
SparkyFace52,7219%3D printingAustralia
Dustin Corbin2,58982%3D printingUS
3DPrintingEverything2,22490%3D printingUS
Afro3dprinter 🔥2,136979%3D printingUK
Jeremy S Cook1,931MakerUS
Maker Hacks1,760144%MakerUS
NolanC 3DPrint Works1,589109%3D printingUS
N Squared1,589116%3D printingUS
Improper Engineering1,219357%3D printingUS
3D Printing Lab1,21277%3D printingUS
How I Do It 🔥1,0541251%MakerUS
Extruder Joe1,04483%3D printingUS
3DWithUs1,034240%3D printingUK
Agustin Flowalistik 🔥1,029586%3D printingSpain
Potent Printables834MakerUS
Three-Dee Kid 🔥801685%3D printingUK
Cat 🔥581976%3D printingLiechtenstein
Disrupt It Yourself570153%3D printingUS

*Number of channel subscribers as of September 13, 2018
** Growth rate of the channel between March 2017 and September 2018

This list of 3D printing-related YouTube channels aims not to rank them by quality but to provide a comprehensive overview of the 3D printing landscape on YouTube. And also to give visibility to smaller 3D printing channels and help you find some great video content!

A selection of great 3D printing channels on YouTube

Make Anything // 3D Printing Channel

  • Creator name: Devin Montes
  • Country: United States
  • Most popular video: Ambiguous Cylinder Illusion // How it Works
  • Patreon: You can support Devin on Patreon by clicking here.

Make Anything is the biggest YouTube channel specialized in 3D printing. In his videos, Devin builds fun 3D printed objects and also gives useful 3D printing tips. Devin’s videos often have the potential to become viral and appeal to watchers way beyond the 3D printing community. Devin loves to use optical illusions and tricks to make visually striking 3D printing videos such as his famous Super Satisfying Twist Containers.

Make Anything // 3D Printing Channel

Thomas Sanladerer

  • Country: Germany
  • Most popular video: 3D printing guides: Setting up auto bed tramming leveling tilt compensation!
  • Patreon: If you like his videos, you can support Thomas on Patreon by clicking here.

Tom is among the most popular 3D printing YouTube creators and there is a reason for that. His channel is a healthy mix of useful tips, in-depth tutorials, as well as balanced and thorough reviews. The German YouTube star also loves to test the limits of the 3D printers he reviews, for example by carrying out experiments such as in this awesome “Destructive testing: which 3D prints are bulletproof?” video. Tom’s channel is rather “serious”: you won’t find here clickbait/viral videos but researched, well-produced and insightful content. That’s actually what we love!

Thomas Sanladerer

3D Printing Nerd

  • Creator name: Joel Telling
  • Country: United States
  • Most popular video: 3D Printing and Testing the Makerbot Coin Sorter
  • Patreon: You can support Joel on Patreon by clicking here.

In the span of a few years, Joel became a fixture of the 3D printing community. His outgoing personality, infectious good mood, and relentless social media presence enabled him to become a great ambassador of the 3D printing community. On his 3D Printing Nerd YouTube channel, you can find all kinds of 3D printing-related content: from unboxings to trade shows visits, outstanding prints, and more, everyone will find something they love. In March 2017, Joel’s coin sorter video went viral, which boosted his channel overall, setting him on track to break the 100k subscribers’ bar in the coming weeks. An amazing and well-deserved achievement for one of the hardest-working creators on this list. To top it all, Joel often uses his huge social media reach to promote less established Youtubers. This guy is the best friend any 3D printing addict wants! What else can we add? Just one thing: #HighFive!

3D Printing Nerd

Maker’s Muse

  • Creator name: Angus Deveson
  • Country: Australia
  • Most popular video: Hacking Vase Mode – 3D Printing Experiments
  • Patreon: if you like his videos, you can support Angus on Patreon by clicking here.

Maker’s Muse is one of the most established 3D printing creators on YouTube. On his channel, Angus carries out in-depth 3D printer reviews and provides lots of useful tips and educational videos. One thing you should know: Angus has a thing for torturing 3D printers, not for the sake of it (we think!) but rather to push the machines to their limits. For example, he loves designing insanely complex 3D models of objects super challenging to print! Angus recently started focusing on resin-based 3D printers, making his channel stand out as the vast majority of 3D printer videos focus on FFF/FDM 3D printers. He also often puts dirt-cheap 3D printers to the test and debunks any phony Marketing promises. All in all, a must-subscribe to channel if you’re into 3D printing!

Maker’s Muse

Naomi ‘SexyCyborg’ Wu

  • Creator name: Naomi Wu
  • Country: China
  • Most popular video: Infinity Skirt Build

Naomi is a maker and web developer based in Shenzen, China. Naomi is passionate about 3D printing technology among others she uses in her popular videos. She often visits maker fairs and trade shows in Asia, producing awesome and immersive 360° videos to show the rest of the world that Asia is also a hotbed with active local 3D printing/maker communities. Naomi is also one of the few voices defending minorities in the maker’s community. Be that the overwhelming domination of the white male demographic in 3D printing/maker media or the stereotypes attached to female makers, Naomi never lacks words to smartly bring people’s attention to these important topics – always respectfully and educationally. So don’t be fooled by her SexyCyborg moniker, Naomi is much more than that.

Naomi ‘SexyCyborg’ Wu

JAT.MN

  • Creator name: Dustin Phillips
  • Country: United States
  • Most popular video: Do not Pre Order the TIKO 3D printer until you watch this video

Dustin, aka the Jatman, is a very active and rising Youtuber and 3D printing evangelist. Despite being fairly recent, his channel is growing super fast, thanks to Dustin’s always thorough reviews and his overall 3D printing expertise. One thing that makes this channel stand out: the weekly live stream series “3D Printing Tonight”, a kind of late-night show where he discusses the week’s hot topics (check out the infamous Tiko videos!) and does Q/A sessions. Dustin is among the most involved members of the 3D printing community, with very active social media profiles and regular participation in events or guest videos. No doubt Dustin is on the right track to be a top 3D printing Youtuber, so get on board now and subscribe!

JAT.MN

Chaos Core Tech

  • Creator name: Garrett
  • Country: United States
  • Most popular video: 3D Printed Slimes [Slime Rancher] – Boom, Phosphor, Rad & Honey!

Garrett is a programmer passionate about 3D printing and making in general. On his channel, he shares his tips to design and 3D print characters from comics, movies, or video games. From South Park Christmas tree characters to sword design tutorials on Fusion360, Garrett is never short of inspiration to create new videos and share them with his audience!

Chaos Core Tech

A Pyro Design

  • Creator name: Travis
  • Country: United States
  • Most popular video: 3d animated Family Guy cool whip scene
  • Patreon: you can support Travis in his mission to bring logos to life by becoming one of his patrons by clicking here.

On his YouTube channel, Travis shares insights on his process to create three-dimensional logos from 2D images. You can watch the whole process from the designing part to the 3D printing part. Travis often collaborates with other 3D printing creators to bring their logos to life or create insanely cool objects such as this retro Sonic the Hedgehog logo, with Chaos Core Tech.

A Pyro Design

Abuzz Designs

  • Creator name: Lauren Renee
  • Country: United States
  • Most popular video: DIY Wall Ombre Painted Canvas
  • Patreon: Lauren needs patrons’ help to be able to keep making awesome videos. You can support her by clicking here and contribute to her Patreon.

Lauren is a passionate designer and maker, sharing her passion on her YouTube channel with original videos such as tutorials to create Halloween costumes, gift cards, and even yummy-looking recipes. Lauren is one of the few very active women of the 3D printing community. She quickly managed to connect with many other makers, her always positive attitude certainly played a part in the success of her channel.

Abuzz Designs

CHEP

  • Creator name: Chuck Hellebuyck
  • Country: United States
  • Most popular video: Metal Inserts on a 3D Print – Video #020

Chuck is a seasoned maker and 3D printing user with extensive experience in electronics. On his YouTube channel, Chuck focuses on practical uses of 3D printing in his famous show called Filament Friday. You can, for instance, learn how to use 3D printing to repair a broken broom handle. Tired of printing useless plastic gadgets? Check out Chuck’s channel now!

CHEP

Richard Horne

  • Country : United Kingdom
  • Most popular video: RepRap 3DR Delta 3D printer

Richard, also known online as RichRap, is a long-time maker and 3D printing user from the UK. On his channel, Richard focuses on quality over quantity: there are few but in-depth and highly instructive 3D printer reviews. As his nickname RichRap suggests, he is also very involved in the RepRap movement. A great no-frills 3D printing YouTube channel.

Richard Horne

Daniel Norée

  • Country: Sweden
  • Most popular video: The OpenRC Truggy, A experimental 3D Printed R/C car

Daniel Norée is an award-winning Swedish 3D designer and 3D printing evangelist. He also is the author of The OpenR/C Project and The OpenRailway Project, and the inventor of the famous Benchy. In his videos, Daniel provides guidance on how to build remote-controlled cars or drones using 3D printing. He also showcases nice 3D printed objects such as a snowball maker or wrenches. A great channel from one of the pillars of the 3D printing community!

Daniel Norée

3D printing on Youtube: trends and takeaways

There are MANY YouTube channels about 3D printing.

Since our last update, the number of 3D printing-related YT channels has grown sharply, showing how active the 3D printing community is. We now have 79 channels on this list, and many of them are growing really fast!

Live streaming is on the rise.

In 2016, YouTube added a live stream option and many 3D printing creators are making the most of it. Often longer than regular videos, YouTube live streams are used for live unboxing videos but also to make innovative formats such as the 3D Printing Tonight show by JAT.MN.

Live streaming is on the rise

The vast majority of 3D printing Youtubers are – surprise – white men. That’s a fact, and it’s becoming somewhat preoccupying, as diversity in media is always important (yes, YouTube is a media!). In terms of gender balance, we only list a handful of women with a 3D printing Youtube channel, and that’s not enough. Let’s not even get started on the overwhelming caucasian domination…

This hot topic is of course not limited to 3D printing and not easy to tackle but some voices are trying to make themselves heard, from Naomi Wu to the more controversial 3DPConfidential on Twitter. The diversity issue and lack of visibility for minorities in the makers’ community is definitely a hot topic that we hope will be addressed collectively in the future.

The brilliant @leahbuechley. @make then fixed "the problem"- by no longer releasing embarrassing demographic data. https://t.co/ljONAJ7DO7 pic.twitter.com/Wh5qrcmlkP

— Naomi Wu 机械妖姬 (@RealSexyCyborg) March 19, 2017

YouTube is a great (and free!) promotion channel for 3D printer brands.

3D printing companies are now using YouTubers to launch and promote their new products, by sending test units to prominent community members, sometimes flying them to events. Among the most successful 3D printer launches relying on heavy YouTube promotion were the Prusa i3 MK2, the Ultimaker 3, and the BCN3D Sigma R17.

Sending test units to 3D printing Youtubers can be a very efficient strategy when your machine is on point but can also backfire (ask the guys at Tiko or Tevo…). Best practices include building a friendly relationship with these Youtubers and the 3D printing community, ensure they have all they need to carry out the tests in optimal conditions, and address any issue or negative feedback which may arise. Also, make sure your 3D printer is a great product!

Looks like the @bcn3dtech Sigma R17 season has officially started!
Can't wait to see what these guys think about it 😊 pic.twitter.com/jBpUbWYTWY

— Aniwaa (@Aniwaa3d) March 6, 2017

How to make money with a Youtube channel?

Advertising

The easiest way to monetize a YouTube channel is advertising: YouTube being a part of Google, it is very easy to start showing ads on your videos through the AdSense program. To earn money from views on your videos, you can show banners or video ads in your videos and generate revenue every time a viewer will click on an ad.

Affiliate programs

Many YouTubers participate in affiliate programs, the most popular one being Amazon Associates. Thanks to these 3D printing affiliate marketing programs, creators can earn a commission via special links. If you make a purchase on the website (Amazon or others) using their custom link, the creator will receive a commission. If you want to support some of your favorites 3D printing creators while online shopping, just use their affiliate links usually found in the description fields below a video.

Another way to earn $$$ revenue or get free products through YouTube is to get sponsored by a brand or establish a partnership with them. In the case of 3D printing, 3D printers and 3D scanners brands can send you 3D printers or 3D scanners for reviews.

Starting a Patreon

Patreon is a global crowdfunding platform where content creators of all kinds can get sustainable income from recurring donations from fans. Many 3D printing YouTube channels have a Patreon where you can contribute with a monthly donation, starting as low as a few dollars. Some of the most established YouTubers on our list can earn thousands of dollars each month thanks to their Patreon. Thomas Sanladerer, for instance, makes around $2k per month thanks to donations from his fans, thus providing more financial freedom to run his channel.

Joining a multi-channel network (MCN)

According to Wikipedia, “a multi-channel network (MCN) is an organization that works with video platforms such as YouTube, to offer assistance to a channel owner in areas such as “product, programming, funding, cross-promotion, partner management, digital rights management, monetization/sales, and/or audience development” in exchange for a percentage of the ad revenue from the channel”. MCN is now common in the world of YouTubers looking to monetize their channel, and several makers from our list have already joined an MCN.

If you’re looking to take your 3D printing YouTube channel to the next step, this could be the way to go. No need to have tens of thousands of subscribers either, as MCN is not only focusing on reach but also on the engagement of the audience on high potential niches such as additive manufacturing.

Soooooo…. 5/10 of our top channels are #3Dprinting– Kill me? <3 U @joeltelling @THEJATMN @apyrodesign @pressreset @3DPProfessor @BINMedia

— Anthony Reyes (@BlindGaming) March 31, 2017

How to use our list of the 3D printing channels on YouTube

Subs count

Here is the number of subscribers as of September 13, 2018, 18 months after the last subs count we did in March 2017. This allowed us to calculate an 18-month growth rate for channels featured in this list.

Growth

This is the growth percentage of the channel, based on the evolution of the total number of subscribers over the past 18 months (from March 2017 to September 2018). This growth rate gives an indication of which channels are growing fast. We highlighted the super fast-growing channels with a little fire emoji (growth rate above 500%).

Category

This time, we’ve decided to categorize 3D printing YouTubers to make the list easier to use:

  • 3D printing: this is the main category, covering YouTube channels focusing solely on 3D printing and producing videos such as 3D printers unboxings, tests, tips, and general information about additive manufacturing.
  • Maker: we regrouped here the channels of maker creators who regularly offer 3D printing-related content but whose channel is not fully dedicated to 3D printing. We thought it was interesting to expand a bit the scope of the list to see how established makers make the most of 3D printing for their projects.
  • Tech reviewer: there are many tech reviewers with highly successful YouTube channels, and some of them have a knack for 3D printers! Why not include them here?
  • Cosplay/props: this category covers creators and makers who use 3D printing to make cosplay, movie accessories, and props. A very popular and active YouTube group with a nice overlap with the 3D printing community.

Country of origin

Pretty straightforward, because it’s cool to see how global the 3D printing movement has become (although most channels are still from the US).

Note:
For this list, we selected only 3D printing YouTube channels managed by independent creators. However, some 3D printing companies run great YouTube channels with instructive videos. For example, MatterHackers, a leading US reseller of 3D printers, produces lots of great content, from reviews to tutorials.

The different types of 3D printing YouTube videos

Tutorials

In tutorials, 3D printing Youtubers give step-by-step instructions on topics such as how to build a 3D printer in kit, how to improve your 3D printing techniques, and many more. You can also find 3D printing video tutorials on how to solve general 3D printer problems such as nozzle clogging.

Unboxings

Unboxing is a video where Youtubers unbox 3D printers, 3D scanners, or 3D filaments and share their first impressions with the viewers. 3D printers unboxing videos are quite popular and they usually cover every step, from opening the cardboard box to launching the first print. These videos are very popular on YouTube (not only for 3D printers!), as they allow viewers to share the thrill of unboxing a brand new machine and also provide unfiltered insights for potential buyers.

Reviews

For 3D printer reviews, manufacturers usually send a test unit to one or several Youtubers to get a video review and give exposure to their machine in the 3D printing community. Some creators also make reviews of 3D printers or filaments they purchased themselves, thus avoiding the potential conflict of interest.

Lately, a growing number of 3D printer and 3D filament brands have started to use YouTube reviews as a promotion channel, sending multiple 3D printer test units to influential channels and actively engaging with the community. Most YouTubers do not charge for a 3D printer review but they can sometimes keep the product for free.

Tips

In 3D printing tips videos, you will find ideas on how to solve a problem on your 3D printer or how to make some improvements to your 3D printer and your 3D prints.

How to become 3D printing Youtuber?

The beauty of YouTube is that anyone with basic video equipment can become a creator. To launch a 3D printing YouTube channel, you basically need a recording device, a 3D printer, and a good dose of motivation! Of course, if you intend to make tutorials or hands-on videos about 3D printing, having access to a 3D printer is a plus (some decent DIY 3D printers are available for less than $200).  Note that the most popular YouTubers not only use top-notch video and audio gear, they also have great video production and editing skills, which take a lot of practice to acquire.

Once you’ve started your YouTube channel, you want to build a following and promote it on social media so people can discover your work. The 3D printing community is very active on Twitter, Facebook, and 3D printing forums. To find the best places to promote your channel, you can check our article on the best forums, communities, and discussion groups about 3D printing.  If you’re planning to launch your channel, let us know about it, we will check it out and add it to our list of the best YouTube channels.

3D printing Youtubers

Conclusion on the best 3D printing YouTube channels

The 3D printing community is a fast-growing and very active group. The number of YouTube channels specialized in 3D printing keeps growing every month and some of them are now becoming established brands with a large following and professional approach to what started as a passion side project. It is great to see this branch of the 3D printing media landscape grow and structure itself!

We were the first website to provide a comprehensive overview and analysis of the 3D printing YouTube community and will continue to update our list of creators and publish updates. Stay tuned. And should you decide to open a YouTube channel, please contact us so we can add you to the list. You can give us your opinion on Facebook and Twitter.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D Printing Guide

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printing is a technology trusted by engineers and manufacturers across industries to create durable and functional models.

In this detailed guide, we'll explain selective laser sintering technology, the different systems and materials on the market, the workflow and different applications of SLS printers, and when to choose 3D printing with this technology over others. additive and traditional manufacturing methods.

White paper

Looking for a 3D printer to create durable, functional models? Download our white paper to learn how selective laser sintering (SLS) technology works and why it is popular in 3D printing for functional prototypes and end-use products.

Download white paper

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is an additive manufacturing technology that uses a powerful laser to sinter fine polymer powder particles into a solid structure based on a 3D model.

SLS 3D printing has been popular with engineers and manufacturers for decades. With its low model cost, high productivity, and common materials, this technology is well suited for a wide range of applications, from rapid prototyping to low-volume production, limited trial runs, or custom-made products.

Recent advances in technology, materials and software have opened up the possibility of SLS printing to a wider range of companies. Previously, such tools were used only in a few high-tech industries.

Introducing the Fuse 1 high performance SLS 3D printer, finally available.

Webinar

Watch our product demo to learn about Fuse 1 and SLS 3D printing from Formlabs.

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Schematic representation of the selective laser sintering process. The SLS method uses a powerful laser to sinter small particles of polymer powder into a solid structure based on a 3D model.

  1. Print: A thin layer of powder is applied to the top of the platform inside the working chamber. The printer preheats the powder to just below the melting point of the feedstock. This allows the laser to more easily raise the temperature of certain areas of the powder bed and monitor the solidification of the model. The laser scans the cross section of the 3D model, heating the powder to the material's melting temperature or just below. Particles are mechanically joined together to form a single solid object. The unsprayed powder supports the model during printing and eliminates the need for special support structures. The platform is then lowered into the working chamber one layer, typically 50-200 µm thick, and the process is repeated for each layer until the models are complete.

  2. Cooling down: after printing and before post-processing, the build chamber should cool down a little in the printer body and then outside the body to ensure optimal mechanical properties of the models and avoid their deformation.

  3. Postprocessing: finished models must be removed from the working chamber, separated from each other and cleaned of excess powder. The powder can be recycled and printed models can be blasted or tumbled.

To learn more about the workflow, see the SLS 3D Printing Workflow section below.

SLS models have a slightly grainy surface, but the layer lines are almost invisible. To achieve a smooth surface, SLS models are recommended to be blasted or tumbled. This sample was printed on a Fuse 1 industrial 3D printer with SLS technology for workshops from Formlabs.

The green powder supports the model during printing and eliminates the need for special support structures. This makes SLS ideal for complex geometries, including internal features, undercuts, thin walls, and negative draft features.

Models created using SLS 3D printing have excellent mechanical properties: their strength is comparable to that of injection molded models.

Compare Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printing with other common plastic modeling technologies: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA).

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is one of the first additive manufacturing technologies developed in the mid-1980s by Dr. Carl Deckard and Dr. Joe Beeman at the University of Texas at Austin. Since then, the method has been adapted to work with a variety of materials, including plastics, metals, glass, ceramics, and various powdered composite materials. Today, all of these technologies are classified as wafer synthesis, additive manufacturing processes that selectively sinter regions of a powder layer under the influence of thermal energy.

The two most common substrate synthesis systems currently available are a plastic based method commonly referred to as Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and a metal based method known as Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) or Selective Laser Melting (SLM). ). Until recently, both systems were very expensive and complex, which limited their use to the production of small batches of expensive models or custom-made products, such as aerospace components or medical devices.

Innovation in this area will make plastic-based SLS as affordable as other 3D printing technologies such as stereolithography (SLA) and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and become widely available in affordable, compact systems.

All selective laser sintering 3D printers use the process described in the previous section. Basically, such printers differ in the type of laser, the volume of printing and the complexity of the system. Different solutions are used for temperature control, powder dosing and layering in different devices.

Selective laser sintering technology requires high precision and strict control during the printing process. The temperature of the powder and (incomplete) models must be controlled within 2°C during the three stages of production: preheating, sintering and storage before extraction, in order to minimize warping, stress and thermal deformation.

For decades, selective laser sintering has been one of the most popular professional 3D printing technologies, but due to its complexity, strict requirements and high price, only service bureaus and large enterprises could use it.

Conventional industrial SLS 3D printing systems have one or more powerful lasers. An inert atmosphere (nitrogen or other gases) is needed to prevent the powder from oxidizing and breaking down during the printing process, which requires specialized air handling equipment.

These installations also require special heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and industrial power supplies. In addition, even the smallest industrial installations occupy an area of ​​​​at least 10 square meters. m.

Due to the high initial cost of approximately $100,000 (and much more for complete solutions), traditional industrial systems with SLS technology were out of reach for many enterprises.

As with other 3D printing technologies such as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA), more affordable, compact systems with SLS technology have recently begun to appear on the market. However, these solutions had significant drawbacks. These include low quality models and complex manual workflows due to a lack of post-processing solutions. This severely limited their use in industrial production.

The Formlabs Fuse 1 printer is in a new category with these deficiencies fixed . It is the first industrial SLS 3D printer for the workshop, delivering high quality, compact size, streamlined workflow, and cost far less than traditional industrial systems of the same type.

The Fuse 1 printer does not require any special infrastructure and will easily fit into your workplace.

The Fuse 1 uses a single laser and has a smaller working chamber that requires less heat. The powder is exposed to elevated temperatures for a shorter period of time, so there is no need for inert gases and specialized ventilation equipment. Thanks to its lower power consumption, it can run on a standard AC power supply without requiring special infrastructure.

The Fuse 1 features patent pending Surface Armor technology. This creates a semi-baked shell that heats evenly around the models as they are printed. This results in excellent surface quality, stable mechanical properties, high reliability and a high material renewal rate.

In addition to providing a compact, self-sustaining ecosystem and complete powder handling capability, Fuse 1 is complemented by the Fuse Sift Station, a stand-alone stand-alone device for model retrieval, recovery, storage and powder mixing.

Overall, the Fuse 1 industrial 3D printer with SLS for workshops has slightly less print volume than traditional entry-level SLS systems, but is smaller, easier to work with and less expensive.

9010 x 550 x 750 mm 750 mm 750
Fuse 1 Industrial SLS Workshop Printer Traditional Industrial SLS 3D Printers
5 Cost from 18,500 US dollars 100 000 - 500,000 US dollars and more than
Press volume to 165 x 165 x 300 mm 9 Benefits Availability High quality models High performance Simplified workflow Compact dimensions Low maintenance High print volume High quality models High performance Many material options
Disadvantages Less print volume Limited material options Expensive equipment Big sizes Infrastructure Requirements Large amount of maintenance Special Operator Required

The most common selective laser sintering (SLS) material is nylon. It is a high performance engineering thermoplastic for both functional prototyping and end-use fabrication. Nylon is ideal for the production of complex knots and strong models with high environmental resistance.

3D printed SLS nylon for strength, rigidity and durability. The final models are impact-resistant and highly wear-resistant. Nylon is resistant to UV, light, heat, moisture, solvents, temperature and water. Nylon models printed on a 3D printer are also biocompatible and do not cause allergic reactions. This means that they can be worn and used safely in many situations.

Nylon is ideal for a range of functional applications, from consumer product design to healthcare applications.

Nylon is a synthetic thermoplastic polymer from the polyamide family. It is available in several versions, each designed to print different products. Nylon 12 Powder has a wide range of applications and is a general purpose, general purpose SLS 3D printing powder. Nylon 12 GF Powder is a composite material with a high fiber content, increased stiffness and heat resistance for difficult industrial conditions. Nylon 11 Powder helps fill a gap in prototyping and end-use applications where increased ductility, impact resistance and the ability to withstand wear without brittle fracture are required.

  • Impact proof prototypes, fixtures and fittings
  • Thin-walled pipes and bodies
  • Rivets, fasteners and latches
  • Orthopedic products and prostheses*
  • High Performance Prototyping
  • Small batch production
  • One-piece clamping and holding fixtures and tooling
  • Conventional SLS models
  • Heavy duty clamping and fastening fixtures and spare parts
  • Continuous models
  • Thread and sockets
  • High temperature models

* Material properties may vary depending on model design and manufacturing method. It is the manufacturer's responsibility to confirm the suitability of printed models for their intended use.

109 40% Extension when rupture, Z (%) 6% 3% 907 71 J/m Bending temperature under load at 1. 8 MPa (°C) 87 °C 113 °C 46 °C 170°C 171°C 182 °C

Nylon 12 Powder and Nylon 11 Powder are one-component powders, but some SLS 3D printers can also use two-component powders, such as coated powders or powder blends.

Nylon 12 GF Powder is a composite material with a high fiberglass content, while other nylon composites with aluminide, carbon or glass are designed to increase the strength, stiffness or flexibility of models. In such two-component powders, only the component with the lower glass transition point is sintered, which binds both components.

SLS 3D printing accelerates innovation and helps businesses in a wide range of industries such as engineering, manufacturing and healthcare.

Manage the entire product development process, from iteration of first concept design to production of ready-to-use products:

  • Rapid Prototyping
  • Product mockups for user feedback
  • Functional Prototyping
  • Functional testing of products under severe conditions (e. g. piping, brackets)

Manage your supply chain and respond quickly to changing needs:

  • End-Use Manufacturing
  • Small batch production
  • Mass production of new customized consumer products
  • Spare parts manufacturing, supply chain sustainability
  • Durable, durable clamping and fastening devices (e.g. clamps and clamps) and accessories
  • Custom manufacture of automotive, motorcycle and marine equipment parts, and restock military items on demand

Self-manufacturing of ready-to-use medical devices, taking into account the individual characteristics of patients:

  • Medical device prototyping
  • Prostheses and orthotics (e.g. prosthetic limbs and orthoses)
  • Surgical models and instruments
  • End use products (nylon 12 biocompatible and sterilizable*)

* Material properties may vary depending on model design and production method. It is the manufacturer's responsibility to confirm the suitability of printed models for their intended use.

Use any CAD software or 3D scan data to design the model and export it to a 3D printable format (STL or OBJ) file. All printers with SLS technology use software that allows you to adjust settings, position models, estimate print times, and layer your digital model. Once set up, the model preparation software sends commands to the printer via a wireless or cable connection.

The Fuse 1 uses PreForm print preparation software (free to download). It allows you to easily duplicate and place multiple models on a 3D grid to maximize your print volume. PreForm automatically suggests the optimal orientation and position of models with the ability to make manual changes.

The workflow for preparing the printer varies from system to system. Most traditional SLS systems require extensive training, tools, and physical actions to prepare and maintain them.

Fuse 1 redefines the SLS workflow, making it simple and efficient, as well as providing trouble-free printing and complete powder handling thanks to modular components.

The Fuse 1 can be easily loaded with powder using a special cartridge.

The Fuse 1 uses a detachable build chamber so you can start a new print while the previous build chamber is still cooling.

Once all pre-checks have been completed, the machine is ready to print. Depending on the size and complexity of the 3D models, as well as their density, printing using SLS technology can take from several hours to several days.

When printing is complete, the build chamber in the housing should cool down a bit before proceeding with the next steps. To start the next print, you can remove the build chamber and insert a new one. Before post-processing, the working chamber must cool down to ensure optimal mechanical properties of the models and avoid their deformation. This can take up to half of the total print time.

Fuse 1 is equipped with a touch screen that allows you to see in real time how each new layer is formed during the printing process. This camera image can also be transferred to a computer using PreForm to monitor the print without leaving the workplace.

Compared to other 3D printing processes, post-processing of SLS-printed models requires a minimum of time and labor. With no supporting structures, it is easy to scale and provides consistent results across batches of models.

After printing is completed, remove the finished models from the build chamber, separate them and clean them of excess powder. As a rule, this is done manually at the cleaning station using compressed air or a jet apparatus.

The excess powder left after the creation of the model is filtered to remove large particles from it. After that, it can be recycled. Under the influence of high temperature, the properties of green powder deteriorate slightly, so for subsequent printing it must be mixed with new material. Due to the possibility of reusing materials, SLS technology produces a minimum amount of waste.

SLS technology typically uses separate devices for powder recovery, storage and mixing. The Fuse 1 workflow uses a single Fuse Sift to retrieve patterns and greens, store, dispense, and mix material streams.

Fuse Sift completes the Fuse 1 SLS print workflow. This system is used for safe and efficient model retrieval and powder recycling.

Fuse Sift automatically doses and mixes used and new powder, reducing waste and controlling powder delivery.

After the powder has been sieved, the 3D models printed using selective laser sintering technology are ready for use. However, there are a few more post-processing steps you can perform on these models.

By default, the surface of 3D models created using SLS technology remains grainy. To achieve a smooth surface, Formlabs recommends blasting or tumbling models made using this method. Models can be spray painted, lacquered, electroplated or otherwise to achieve the desired color, surface quality and properties such as water resistance (special coating) and electrical conductivity (electrolytic coating). Models created with SLS Formlabs are dark in color and therefore not well suited for staining.

Immersion printed SLS model from Partial Hand Solutions.

SLS models can be electroplated for a metal-like surface.

Selective laser sintering is preferred by engineers and manufacturers for its wide design options, high productivity, low model cost and proven end use materials.

Most additive manufacturing processes such as stereolithography (SLA) and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) require specialized support structures to fabricate overhang structures.

Selective laser sintering does not require support structures because the unsintered powder surrounds the model during printing. SLS printing makes it easy to create overhangs, intricate geometries, interconnecting parts, internal channels and other intricate details.

Intricately patterned arm splint for weight reduction.

Engineers typically design models in terms of the capabilities of the final manufacturing process, also known as design-for-technology (DFM). When additive manufacturing is only used for prototyping, it comes down to creating models and designs that can be replicated in the manufacturing process using traditional tools.

Selective laser sintering is emerging as a viable rapid production method and its application area continues to expand, so it can open up new possibilities in design and construction. 3D printers with SLS technology can create complex geometries that are impossible or incredibly expensive to manufacture using traditional processes. SLS technology also allows design professionals to combine complex assemblies into a single model that would normally require multiple models to be created. This helps avoid the problem of loose connections and saves assembly time.

Selective laser sintering can unleash the potential of generative design, as it allows the creation of lightweight models that use complex lattice structures that cannot be fabricated by traditional methods.

Selective laser sintering is the fastest additive manufacturing technology for making functional, durable prototypes and end-use products. Lasers used for powder sintering have much faster scanning speeds and are more accurate than the layering methods used in other processes such as Industrial Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).

To maximize the available print volume in each printer, multiple models can be placed side by side. Operators can use the software to optimize print volume and maximize productivity by leaving only minimal clearance between models.

SLS technology allows operators to fill the build chamber with as many models as possible, as it allows them to be printed without supporting structures, saving time in post-processing.

SLS 3D printing requires the right materials for functionality and versatility. Nylon and its composites are proven, high quality thermoplastic materials. Laser-sintered nylon models have close to 100% density and mechanical properties that are comparable to products made using traditional manufacturing methods such as injection molding.

Screwdriver printed in Nylon 12 Powder. After a simple post-processing, nylon models have a smooth, professional quality surface.

SLS Printable Nylon is an excellent replacement for conventional injection molded plastics. The latches and other mechanical connections produced from it are superior to products created using any other additive manufacturing technology. It is ideal for making functional plastic parts that will work and not break down over time like products created through other additive manufacturing methods.

When calculating the cost of one model, it is usually necessary to take into account the cost of ownership of equipment, material costs and labor costs:

  • Equipment cost of ownership: The more models a printer can produce over its lifetime, the lower the cost per model. Therefore, higher performance results in a lower cost of ownership per model. With high laser scanning speeds, the ability to produce multiple models at once to maximize the working volume, and a simple post-processing process, SLS 3D printing guarantees the highest productivity of any additive manufacturing method.

  • Material: Most 3D printing technologies use proprietary materials, while nylon is a common thermoplastic that is produced in large quantities for industrial applications. This makes it one of the most inexpensive raw materials for additive manufacturing. SLS 3D printing requires no support structures and allows you to print with recycled powder with minimal waste.

  • Labor: Labor is a disadvantage of many 3D printing solutions. Work processes in most technologies are quite laborious and difficult to automate, which can significantly affect the cost of one model. Easy post-processing with SLS printing reduces manual labor and allows for easy scalability.

A 3D printer with SLS technology is a significant investment initially, but this investment often pays off even faster than buying smaller devices. SLS for workshop technology significantly reduces initial acquisition costs and also reduces model costs in most applications.

If 3D printing is rarely used in your business, it is recommended to use the services of third-party service bureaus. But in this case, the cash costs will be higher and you will have to wait longer for the order to be completed. One of the main advantages of 3D printing is its speed compared to traditional production methods. But this advantage loses its value when it takes up to several weeks for a third-party company to deliver a model.

REEKON Tools

Selective laser sintering allows engineers to prototype parts early in the development cycle and then use the same equipment and materials to produce end-use products. SLS 3D printing does not require the same expensive and time-consuming tools as traditional manufacturing, so prototype parts and assemblies can be tested and easily modified in just a few days. As a result, product development time is significantly reduced.

SLS 3D printing is great for creating durable, functional prototypes. They withstand rigorous testing and can be supplied to customers as spare parts or ready-to-use products.

Given the low cost per model and the durability of materials, SLS printing is an economical way to produce complex custom designs or batches of small components for final products. In many cases, for the production of limited or small trial runs, selective laser sintering is a cost-effective alternative to injection molding.

Until now, SLS industrial 3D printers have been too expensive for most companies, costing over $100,000 per unit.

With the Fuse 1 compact printer and simple workflow, Formlabs brings the industry-leading capabilities of selective laser sintering (SLS) to the workshop and makes it possible to produce models from high-quality materials at the lowest cost.

Fuse 1 usher in a new era in independent manufacturing and prototyping.

Learn about the Fuse 1 3D printer with SLS technology for workshops

3D modeling and 3D printing technologies in medicine

Medicine

Rapid prototyping

Experts recommend

Author: Andrey Kombarov

Kombarov

Benefits of Additive Manufacturing for Medicine
What can be 3D printed to improve treatment efficiency
3D scanners and software in medicine
Planning a successful operation using accurate mock-ups
Printing mock-ups, models and prototypes from plastics
3D printing of metal prostheses and implants
Case studies of 3D technologies in medicine
Additive technologies in medicine: a look into the future

According to the Wohlers Report, healthcare accounts for 11. 3% of the global additive manufacturing market. According to Market Research Future (MRFR), the cumulative annual growth rate of the global medical device 3D printing market in 2018-2023 is estimated at 18%.

One of the key factors in medicine is accuracy, because the slightest mistake in the calculations can have fatal consequences. And here 3D printing fits perfectly, because its main advantages are the freedom of design and high precision in the creation of final products.

Photo: Materialize

Benefits of additive technologies for medicine

The main and indisputable advantages:

  1. High accuracy, allowing to take into account the individual characteristics of a person.
  2. Ability to create structures of any complexity.
  3. Lightening the weight of printed products.
  4. Reduction of production time (including due to the lack of equipment), and as a result - the acceleration of medical care.
  5. Saving labor and material resources.
  6. Reducing the cost of products.
  7. Large selection of innovative materials.

“It is possible to make an individual prosthesis for each specific patient,” says Pavel Vopilovsky, Director of the Scientific and Technical Complex “Machine-Building Technologies” of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, “this is the most significant factor in the use of this particular technology ( 3D printing - ed. ) for medicine. No two people are the same, and even if you take the hip joint, right and left, they will be different bones.


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What can be 3D printed to improve treatment efficiency

You can print the following items:

  • Models of organs, tissues and bones when planning operations;
  • prostheses, implants, surgical templates in surgery and dentistry;
  • orthopedic insoles, corsets and other orthoses;
  • hearing aids;
  • master models for medical devices;
  • medical device case prototypes;
  • medical cosmetology products.

3d scanning and medical software

Medical software Materialize Mimics allows you to create anatomically accurate 3D models / Photo: Materialize

Using a 3D scanner, you can get an accurate three-dimensional model of the desired object (bone, dental impression, etc.) in a matter of minutes, then process the obtained data in special software and print the model or finished product on a 3D printer, or make it traditional way. This eliminates the need to store casts and samples - all 3D models are stored in a digital archive. If necessary, they can be quickly corrected and sent via the Internet to colleagues anywhere in the world.

Planning for a successful operation with accurate layouts

Creating accurate 3D models of bones, body parts, tissues or organs allows for a visual demonstration of pathologies at a scale of 1:1. The doctor can accurately assess the size of the pathology and the location of adjacent tissues before starting the operation. In the case of transplantation, 3D models help to develop detailed and individual plans for operations and select exactly the right organs.

A typical example of 3D printing in medicine: a preoperative model made of photopolymer, made in our demo room on a ProtoFab SLA600 DLC printer / Photo: iQB Technologies

The detailed 3D printed model and its anatomically optimal position assist the surgeon in reconciliation at all key stages of the operation. Accurate positioning of pathology and blood vessels in real time makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the operation and reduce risks.

Changing the printed anatomical models in accordance with the actual state of the organs is one of the most important methods for applying additive technologies. This possibility not only saves valuable time for surgeons, but also improves the accuracy of disease prediction.

Models, models, prototypes made of plastics

Creating custom insoles with the Sharebot Q 3D printer, which helped achieve great results with difficult-to-use flexible elastomers

There are several plastic printing technologies, including Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Laser Stereolithography (SLA), and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). The first of them uses a thermoplastic thread or granules as a consumable, the second uses a photopolymer resin, the third uses polyamide or modified powders.


iQB Technologies experts recommend article: Plastic works wonders: how a 3D printer imitates human organs

Medical 3D printing process

The creation of a printed product takes place in several stages:

  1. Collection of patient data using various techniques (CT, MRI, ultrasound, PET, 3D scanning).
  2. Based on the results of the research, the target area is selected and a 3D model is created in the software.
  3. Based on the created 3D model, an exact copy of the object is printed.
  4. The printed model simulates a surgical operation.

The bridge printed on the SLM-installation of the Russian manufacturer 3DLAM. Such solutions can significantly expand the capabilities of any dental laboratory / Photo: 3DLAM

Prostheses and implants

3D printing with metals allows you to create a product with a given complex geometry, ideally suited to a particular patient. Topological optimization solves such important tasks for prosthetics as:

  • creation of an all-metal structure of any required shape;
  • lightening the weight of the prosthesis;
  • increasing the strength of products due to microscopic cavities that ensure the migration of the patient's own bone tissue cells;
  • the creation of prostheses with a porous structure that promotes faster implantation.

Thanks to an individual hip prosthesis, the patient was able to return to normal life / Photo: Materialize

The use of metal alloys (primarily titanium) is used in prosthetics of the bones of the maxillofacial region, intervertebral discs, collarbones, knee joints, shoulder blades, and hip bones. In dentistry, these materials are used for the manufacture of one-piece implants, as well as metal bases for crowns and bridges made of titanium, cobalt-chromium and other alloys.

The most important features of the printed metal prostheses are the perfect precision of their connection with the body and the absence of a rejection reaction.


Read the blog: Russian manufacturer of SLM machines dispels myths about technology

Printing titanium implants on an HBD SLM printer

Application examples

SLM defect reconstruction of the zygomatic bone

A 43-year-old man presented to the department with a severe defect in the left midface, which he received 6 years earlier as a result of a car accident. The damaged bone was reconstructed with a custom titanium implant printed on an additive machine by SLM Solutions. The computer-designed implant had an ideal geometry, and the operation to install it went exactly as planned. Follow-up of the patient over the next year did not reveal any complications.

Results:

  • excellent biocompatibility and tissue integration of the bioimplant;
  • reducing the weight of the titanium product by creating its hollow version;
  • accelerated integration by filling the implant with material taken from the patient's ilium;
  • the finished product perfectly fit the damaged area and did not require adjustment during the operation;
  • complete absence of complications and side effects after implant placement.

How an accurate model of the spine and trachea was created

ProtoFab specialists share their practical experience of using 3D printing for medical purposes. Peking University Third Hospital asked ProtoFab to create an accurate 3D model of the patient's spine and trachea in preparation for the upcoming surgery. Complications caused by the disease did not allow the surgeon to insert a tube into the trachea to perform the operation. Physicians needed a model with which they could practically evaluate different ways to solve this problem.

Computed and magnetic resonance imaging data were imported into specialized medical software, which allows all these data to be converted into a 3D model. Using this software, ProtoFab specialists were able to see the problematic areas of the patient's trachea.

The next step was to directly print the model. It allowed physicians to analyze an absolutely exact replica of the trachea and the surrounding area before the operation and to take preparatory measures that would otherwise be impossible.

Manufacture of prostheses

A team of researchers from Chabloz Orthopédie (France) managed to create a unique and truly revolutionary prosthesis. The company worked with Denis Gauthier, who had his forearm amputated. First, the experts performed a 3D scan of the patient's healthy arm using a peel 3d scanner to obtain its mirror image. The rest of the amputated arm was also scanned to achieve a comfortable and ergonomic fit for the prosthesis.

Denis Gaultier with finished prosthesis

The team then proceeded to design a CAD model and develop a myoelectric prosthesis. Batteries, sensor cables and an artificial hand were integrated with the fabricated forearm. The prosthesis itself was designed in CAD and printed on a 3D printer. HP Jet Fusion technology was used to recreate the various components of the forearm. After manufacturing, all parts were finished and painted.

The use of 3D scanning and printing guarantees not only the correct fit of the device, but also gives complete freedom of movement. Did you know that 3D printed parts are 20% lighter than their carbon or fiberglass counterparts? Such products also have the necessary rigidity, hardness and durability.

Later, this innovative prosthesis was combined with the BeBionic hand, one of the most advanced bionic limbs, and a state-of-the-art myoelectric forearm and hand was custom-made.

Hip replacement

Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics. R.R. Vreden together with LETI (St. Petersburg) carried out work on the creation of a prosthesis of the hip joint from titanium. Based on the CT scan, a plastic model of the bone was created. The next stage is the design of the implant and adjustments for its positioning on the bone. Then, after the doctors planned the operation on a mock-up, the prosthesis was 3D printed. The patient, whose hip joint was almost destroyed as a result of an injury, got to his feet.

Corneal print

In 2018, British scientists were able to 3D print the cornea for the first time. Now they can use 3D printing to make the cornea from stromal cells. They also created a special bio-ink, which consists of corneal stroma cells from a living donor. It also contains collagen and alginates. Protein is the basis. By placing the resulting substance in the printer, a healthy cornea was printed in 10 minutes, which was viable for more than a week.

The technology needs clinical trials, but there is hope for mass printing of the cornea.

3D printing of vessel models

Blood vessel and aneurysm models / Photo: ProtoFab

The most important role for full embolization of intracranial aneurysm is played by the stable position of the microcatheter and its optimal shape. Using a 3D printer, models of a blood vessel and aneurysm can be printed, which will help the surgeon better understand the anatomical structure. A life-size 3D printed model can be used to visually demonstrate blood vessels and aneurysms.

3D-printed models for surgical simulation systems realistically depict the complex system of blood vessels / Photo: ProtoFab

Printed surgical template / Photo: ProtoFab

Additive template manufacturing

Traditionally, x-rays are used to plan an osteotomy. However, 2D images do not reflect the actual state of the bones. In this regard, 60% of operations do not give a positive result. Templates printed by Materialize will help solve this problem. These templates are inexpensive to produce and are available to all patients.

A dental prosthesis base is one example of wax 3D printing, great for creating high-precision casting models

Equipment: FlashForge 400
Print time: 4 hours
Wax model weight: 30 g
Benefits compared to the traditional process: 50% faster implementation time, 45% less labor

The relevance of 3d modeling in the future

Thanks to the innovations that we have described in this article, it is possible to increase the reliability of operations, save time, reduce production costs and the cost of end products, and most importantly, improve and extend the life of patients.

Along with the improvement of additive equipment, active work is underway to create new materials for medical purposes. Using additive technologies, it will be possible, for example, to directly print ceramic products, as well as to create one-piece dentures, including teeth and gums, from biocompatible materials.

In 2019, Israeli scientists for the first time created a human heart with blood vessels and cells on a 3D printer. It was made in miniature, but the same technology could be used to print a regular-sized heart, the researchers said. The printed organ consists of the patient's fat cells, which were converted into cardiovascular muscle stem cells, and then mixed with connective tissue and placed in a 3D printer / Photo: jta.org

The direction of modern medicine, which is associated with a breakthrough in the treatment of diseases and pathologies in the foreseeable future, is 3D printing of tissues, blood vessels and organs, or 3D bioprinting. Leading scientific and medical centers are developing new technologies and conducting clinical research in this area.

Advances in additive and biomedical technologies will contribute to the development of bionic modeling and 3D printing of tissues and organs, which will help maintain health and save the lives of a huge number of people.

Helping the IT industry during the coronavirus pandemic

Many companies are supporting healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Suppliers of medical equipment cannot cope with the load, especially when it comes to protective equipment (respirators, masks, screens). All over the world, 3D printing has become a real help in the production of a prototype valve that is installed in a respirator. Supplier Lonati SPA in Italy was able to print the valve in PA12. Productivity ranged from 100 pieces per day, and the price was minimal.

In the UK, many manufacturers have shifted to making ventilators.


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