German metal 3D printer manufacturer SLM has announced that it has established a partnership with Chinese medical equipment manufacturer ZJKH Medical. As part of the collaboration, ZJKH Medical will use SLM 3D printers to develop and manufacture surgical implants.
The SLM solution will also provide technical and application assistance, as well as R & D support to ZJKH Medical, to further accelerate the company's product certification and mass production. "We are proud to win the trust of ZJKH Medical. The SLM solution is a pioneer and leader in selective laser melting technology, and the medical field is an important application field. Our global experience accumulation and innovation will help us further develop China ’s The medical field. "JLM Ma, general manager of SLM Solutions Asia Pacific explained. "The cooperation with innovative companies like ZJKH Medical will effectively promote the two-way development of 3D printing technology in the breadth and depth of the medical industry."
Founded in 1994, ZJKH Medical is a well-known designer, manufacturer and supplier of orthopedic implants and devices in China. In addition to serving as a contract manufacturer for various orthopedic companies in the United States, the company also has its own brand product line, covering traumatology, spinal fixation systems and surgical instruments. Its medical devices are sold in China, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. ZJKH Medical also invested in modern production processes to upgrade its orthopedic implants and devices. By introducing SLM Solutions' 3D printing technology into its product development workflow, the company aims to promote the production of advanced medical equipment, serving both itself and the broader Chinese medical market. Therefore, bringing 3D printed medical equipment to this market space will also bring development opportunities to other companies, according to Jerry Ma: "ZJKH's slogan is" health technology "; Chinese medical device companies are very committed to improving their technological innovation The goal of competence is that entrepreneurs have an open and positive attitude towards external cooperation. Therefore, I am fully confident in the application of SLM solutions in the medical field. We fully believe that through our close cooperation in many aspects, we will be able to Speaking of this, being able to use advanced medical device family products and being able to use affordable home medical devices is not a distant dream. "
Headquartered in Lubeck, Germany, SLM Solutions is an expert dedicated to the development and provision of selective laser melting (SLM) additive manufacturing systems. Its 3D printers include SLM 125, SLM 280, SLM 500 and SLM 800 systems. Its latest system, SLM 800, debuted at Formnext 2017. It has a construction area of 260 x 500 mm and can build parts up to 800 mm high. Therefore, it was a landmark last year for the British aerospace company Orbex to create an engine known as "the world's largest 3D printed rocket engine." According to the SLM solution, each 3D printer is designed to ensure maximum safety during operation. For medical applications, SLM Solutions provides two examples describing different medical devices manufactured using its metal 3D printer, including acetabular cups and interbody fusion cages. The company has conducted various research and development programs on these two types of products. For example, it has developed a continuous update of 60 micrometer (μm) process parameters for 3D printed acetabular cups of titanium alloys. In knee applications, SLM Solutions has also developed 60 micron (μm) process parameters for cobalt-chromium alloys.