
Engineering
Engineering
What we offer
We offer comprehensive engineering services specifically tailored to the potential and requirements of additive manufacturing. At the core is our Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) approach, through which we optimize your components to be printable, functional, and cost-efficient.
We optimize your components for 3D printing from the initial idea to the validated product:
-
DfAM consulting, requirements analysis, feasibility studies and cost analysis
-
Topology optimization, lattice structures
-
CAD & data preparation, wall thicknesses, support planning, print orientation
-
Material & process selection, biocompatible metals/polymers, parameter definition
-
Prototyping & validation, rapid prototyping, mechanical testing, documentation
Your benefits: Faster time-to-market, cost savings, increased functionality, and regulatory compliance.
AM Technologies
The Swiss m4m Center has a diverse range of additive manufacturing technologies at its disposal to meet the varying requirements of medical device production.
Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (LB-PBF): This metal 3D printing technology enables the production of high-precision, complex titanium and other metal implants with excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility.
Stereolithography (SLA): SLA is used to manufacture highly detailed polymer components such as surgical templates, prototypes, and anatomical models with excellent surface quality and accuracy, which supports precise surgical planning and execution.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): FDM offers cost-effective and rapid production of polymer parts suitable for functional prototypes and tooling, enabling rapid design iterations and workflow optimization.
Materials
The Swiss m4m Center utilizes a broad range of materials to meet the specific demands of medical device manufacturing.
Metals:
Titanium Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) is favored for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility, making it ideal for load-bearing implants.
Stainless Steel (17-4 PH) offers high strength and good corrosion resistance, commonly used for surgical instruments and components.
Cobalt Chrome alloy provides superior wear resistance and durability, suitable for dental appliances with good polishing ability.
Polymers:
Medical-grade and biocompatible resins are employed for producing precise, high-detail components like surgical guides and prototypes that require excellent surface quality and patient safety.
Polyamide (nylon) filaments are used in fused deposition modeling for durable, lightweight parts such as fixsture and functional prototypes.
Other polymers on demand such as ESD or Flame retardancy materials.
