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How Merck is using 3D printing to create innovative solutions

Innovation

3D technology is helping optimize workstreams, shorten turn-around times, reduce costs and drive innovation

July 27, 2022

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Merck’s 3D Technologies (3DT) organization is transforming the way we work in the discovery, development and commercialization of our medicines and vaccines for both human and animal health.

And, just as virtual reality, augmented reality and artificial intelligence are rapidly gaining in popularity, 3D printing has captured the attention of teams across our company who are using 3DT products in labs, manufacturing sites and even in outer space.

What is 3D printing?

Also known as additive manufacturing, 3D printing is a method of creating a three-dimensional object, layer by layer, using CAD — computer-aided design — software. It differs from traditional manufacturing in which a final design is cut from a larger block of material. As a result, 3D printing creates less material waste and allows for greater design freedom.

“This transformative technology has continued to grow in both its capabilities and impact,” said Marc Durante, director of 3DT. “It’s truly evolving to what is perhaps one of the biggest advantages in the race for innovation across life sciences and beyond.”

More than just printing: a hybrid approach

3DT’s team of engineers and inventors provide enterprise engineering, design and fabrication capabilities which also leverage traditional technologies like injection molding, machining, thermal forming, casting, and water jet & laser cutting. This hybrid approach enables 3DT to efficiently address unique business challenges, from producing hard-to-find manufacturing parts or prototyping tissues and cells for novel test studies to regularly transforming napkin-sketched ideas into workable designs.

“Everyone who comes to our labs for the first time is genuinely shocked at all that’s possible with our suite of 3DT capabilities at their disposal. By the time they’ve completed their first project with us, their mindset around 3D printing is forever changed,” said Durante.

In fact, Durante and his team custom-designed the hardware used in a recent Merck Research Laboratories experiment that blasted off to the International Space Station. The 3D-printed device, which has received praise for its ease of use, was designed to utilize relatively inexpensive syringes for a range of experiments, opening the opportunity for other researchers who are investigating activating chemical reactions in space.

3D printing drives innovation and supports our research

3DT is a hotbed for out-of-the-box solutions and game-changing innovation with six to seven new requests per day — most of which are completely new inventions — and almost 3,500 3D projects completed (a number that continues to double every year), several patents and four labs worldwide (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ireland, Singapore) with a fifth in the works (Latin America).

“We’re quickly becoming the frontline for custom solutions throughout the entire company,” said Durante.

Some examples of the team’s work include:

Improving capsule filling

3DT designed and printed custom grips and staging blocks to interface with a robotic arm to fill capsules used in early phase clinical trials. This resulted in cost savings and improvement in both turnaround time and employee safety.

Illuminating drug impact on nasal peptides

3DT created nasal casts to study inhaled drug deposition patterns. The anatomically correct models allowed for more efficient laboratory testing with higher accuracy and precision and improved turnaround time on formulation decisions.

Counting sea lice in Vaki, Iceland

The expansion of salmon and trout farming in Europe, Canada and Chile has been accompanied by increasing infestations of sea lice among salmon. 3DT printed housing for two biomass cameras and sea lice counting units that could stand up to the pressures and temperatures of frigid 40-meter-plus deep Artic Ocean waters.

‘3D technology is only limited by one’s imagination’

Merck’s award-winning 3DT has proven to be a center of excellence within our company and is also helping set new standards across the entire life sciences industry. Looking ahead, the momentum is sure to continue.

“3D technology is the ultimate harmonization of digital and physical mediums, and only limited by one’s imagination.”

  • Marc Durante, director, Merck’s 3DT

“We’d love to get to a point where colleagues across our company feel the freedom to be their own inventor and look to 3DT from the outset to bring about the art of the possible. In the end, we’re all working toward the same goal: bringing forward our medicines and vaccines to those who need them as quickly as possible,” said Durante.

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🐍 Best snakes and reptiles STL models to create with a 3D printer ・Cults

🐍 Best snakes and reptiles STL models to create with a 3D printer

Download snakes & reptiles 3D printable models

Snakes, lizards, chameleons, turtles or crocodiles, designers have created hundreds of 3D printable models highlighting the beauty of these reptiles. Paying tribute to the colors, flexibility, majesty and curiosity of these fascinating and intriguing animals. Don't wait any longer to download and print in 3D!

flexi turtle

Free

CUTE FLEXI PRINT-IN-PLACE CROCODILE

€2.78

flexi zombie animals

Free

Flying Sea Turtle

Free

Squishy Turtle

Free

Snake and Rattlesnake

€3.76

Cute Flexi Print-in-Place Turtle

€1.84

Articulated Rayquaza Flexible Pokemon Dragon

€1

3DMX / Crocmark (Bookmark)

Free

Adorable Articulated Axolotl, Print-In-Place Body, Snap-Fit Head, Cute Flexi

€3. 28

FLYING SERPENT, QUETZALCOAT, WINGED SERPENT, ARTICULATING FLEXI WIGGLE PET, PRINT IN PLACE, FANTASY SNAKE

€3.77

Crocodile Skull

Free

GIANT CROCODILE ARTICULATED

€4.08

Bearded Dragon Articulated Toy, Print-In-Place Body, Snap-Fit Head, Cute Flexi

€3.28

Dinosaur gluttonous pencil holder

€1.55

Rattlesnake

Free

ARTICULATED ARMADILLO LIZARD (LITTLE DRAGON)

€3.64

Void Sea Dragon, Articulating Flexi Wiggle Pet, Print in Place, Fantasy Serpent

€3.77

Leopard Gecko Articulated Toy, Print-In-Place Body, Snap-Fit Head, Cute Flexi

€3. 28

Articulated Rock Snake

€2.49

Crocz... Crocodile Clips / Clamps / Pegs with Moving Jaws

Free

Ball Python Snake articulated toy, print-in-place body, snap-fit head, cute-flexi

€3.72

Flexi Snake v2 - SUPER FLEXIBLE 3D PRINTED SNAKE

Free

Crocodile

Free

Spooky Flexi Gecko Skeleton (magnet version included)

€2.82

ARTICULATED COBRA SNAKE FLEXI PET PRINT-IN-PLACE

€0.99

Turtle with moving legs

Free

Baby Crystalwing Dragon, Cinderwing3D, Articulating Flexi Wiggle Pet, Print in Place, Fantasy

€3. 77

Nice Snake Flexi

€1.77

Gyarados - Articulated Seasnake

€1.50

LowPolyTurtle

Free

Alligator Turtle Flexi

€1.05

Articulated Long-Tailed Lizard - 114 cm (44in) Super long print-in-place

€2.93

ARTICULATED COBRA SNAKE WITH 3 HEADS FLEXI PET Print-in-place

€1.99

Mario Turtle Shell Stash Pot

Free

Cute_Flexi_Turtle_Print_In_Place

€2.74 -10% €2.46

Save the Sea Turtles (automata)

Free

ARTICULATED SKELETON SNAKE

€3. 70

Lego Minifig Compatible Snake Tail

Free

animated crocodile (action figure)

Free

ARTICULATED CARTOON TURTLE

€3.09

Flexy Iguana Print In Place No Supports

€2.62

30 Inch Snake, Print In Place, Basilisk, Boa, Python, Articulating Flexi Wiggle Pet

€3.77

snake

€1.95

SEA SNAKE

€3.10

Grenurtle, Grenade Turtle, Military, 4th of July, Cinderwing3D, Articulating, Print-in-Place, No Supports, Cute

€3.77

jewelry guard x3 (no bracket)

€2.50

RELAXING FLEXI LIZARD

€1. 05

Bearded Dragon Articulated Toy, Print-In-Place Body, Snap-Fit Head, Cute Flexi

flexi turtle

Ball Python Snake articulated toy, print-in-place body, snap-fit head, cute-flexi

MAGIC SNAKE, ARTICULATED, PRINT-IN-PLACE, POSABLE, ANIMATED, FIXABLE


Here's a collection of the best STL files of reptiles: snakes, lizards, chameleons, turtles or crocodiles. All of these gorgeous and useful designs are from the best 3D printer files site Cults and are quickly 3D printable. If you're already a fan of reptiles of all kinds, this collection of top designs is for you!

The 3D printed reptile figures are plastic reproductions of different reptile species. They are made using 3D printing technology, which allows to produce objects in successive layers of plastic material.

3D printed reptile figurines have many advantages and uses. First of all, they allow you to create accurate and detailed reproductions of different reptile species, using digital 3D models. This allows reptile enthusiasts to own figurines of their favorite species, or to use them for teaching or research or for decoration and hobby.

These objects are resistant and durable. They can be handled without the risk of breaking or deteriorating, making them ideal toys for children or people who enjoy collecting figurines. In addition, reptile designs are also very easy to customize. You can use different colors of plastic material to create bright, colorful figurines, or use different textures to mimic the appearance of reptile scales or skin.

Finally, 3D printable reptile figurines are also ecological and economical. This is because 3D printing allows plastic figurines to be produced from recycled raw materials, which reduces environmental impact and saves money. In summary, 3D printed reptile figurines are accurate, durable, easy to customize, eco-friendly and economical. They can be used for teaching, research, collecting, or just plain fun, and offer many benefits for reptile lovers and makers alike!

3D printing in progress...・3D printing idea for download・Cults


Cup with straw

0.99 €

Food decision French version

0.99 €

Direct drive - Tronxy X5SA

€1.99 -50% 0.99 €

Christmas ball for electronic cigarettes

0,99 €

RS Logo Renault Sport

0,50 €

Lamp : THE E-LIQUIDS

4,99 €

Renault Sport emblem

0,99 €

Mixed 17" wrench

0. 50 €

Best 3D Printer Files in Home Category

WOODEN BIRDHOUSE

1.58 €

Bubble Nest - Birdhouse

Free

Crocz... Crocodile Clips / Clamps / Pegs with Moving Jaws

Free

nine0003 Skull Cupcake Holder

Free

Deactivated

Eyeglasses wall mount holder

Free

Icosahedral fruit basket

1.07 €

Stark cookie stark game of thrones got

1,18 €

Bestsellers in the Home category nine0039

Key ring for weapons

1 €

Pencil with dinosaur gluttony

1,55 €

Ornamented tea holder

€2. 83 -25% 2.12 €

nine0003 Candlestick - Arbre de vie

1.20 €

Wall shelf "Tinder Fungus"

2.40 €

tealight holder ver.b

1 €

Notepad

2.60 €

Prepaid Gift Card Holder v2.0

1.92 €

nine0003 Samurai incense holder

2.40 €

Venus and Aphrodite

3.60 €

Wall shelf "Ostrea Fungus"

2,40 €

Wall shelf "Oyster mushroom"

2,40 €

Bear wine holder

2. 36 €

nine0003 Another quick-change paper towel holder

1 €

GYRO BEER STAND 2

2.14 €

Treasure chest Printed in place

1.25 €


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STL File T-800 Terminator Moving Skull・3D Printing Idea for Download・Cults


Ecto-1 with light and sound! With detailed free instructions!

8 €

nine0003 Back to the future Jules Verne time train with lights and smoke

8 €

Days Gone Ring (in 21 different ring sizes)

2,50 €

Fallout X-01 Power Armor

3 €

Companion Cube Dice Tower

1.66 €

Alien Egg Dice Tower

2.50 €

Johnny Silverhand Hand 1:1 copy

8,33 €

Death Stranding Sam on a bicycle with LED headlights

7,50 €

Best 3D Printer Files in the Miscellaneous Category

Speed ​​increase gearbox

1,50 €

nine0003 Tennis and padel blower

1. 95 €

Legs PlayStation 4

1.43 €

Dragon Ball Kame House

Free

universal antitheft bolt cover peugeot

Free

AUTOMATIC CAT

€4.70 nine0015 -50% 2.35 €

Jurassic park

2.85 €

Fortnite Sniper Key Chain

Free

Bestsellers in Miscellaneous category

Mounts for shock absorbers and trx4m escalators

1.90 €

nine0003 CHRISTMAS TREE v2

1,50 €

SlingHAMMER - repeating crossbow pistol for steel balls 6mm 8mm 10mm or 12mm

12. 50 €

Eeveelution articulated mega pack

10 €

ItsLitho "Pure" personalized lithophane Christmas ball

1,90 €

nine0003 Item

8 €

Mickey Christmas night light Litophane

3,50 €

Mate Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup

10 € -50% 5 €

Adderini - 3D printed repeating slingbow/crossbow pistol

€12.50

Funko Messi World Champion Qatar 2022

5.31 €

Articulated Gyarados

1.99 €

4th planet Fighting pre-Olympic god

12 €

5 gnomes (without support)

2. 49 €

nine0003 Wednesday Addams, The Thing, The Thing

5 €

THING-ENVIRONMENT-COMPANY-HD-PRINT

1,30 €

MMPR Dragon Dagger

4.75 €



Do you want to support Cults?

Do you like Cults and want to help us continue our journey on our own ? Please note that we are a small team of 3 people , so supporting us in keeping and creating future developments is easy. Here are 4 solutions available to everyone: