The 3D FabLab is a state-of-the-art technology platform dedicated to additive manufacturing and the design of customised medical devices. It implements innovative solutions for the development of prototypes, bespoke implants, and complex structures using the most advanced 3D manufacturing technologies. Thanks to interdisciplinary expertise, the 3D FabLab plays an essential role in the fields of healthcare, biomedical engineering, and industrial innovation.
Platform Objectives
- Design and produce customised implants that meet patients’ specific needs.
- Develop functional prototypes to validate medical devices before clinical application.
- Explore new material architectures that promote tissue regeneration and improved biological integration.
- Optimise additive manufacturing to deliver fast, sustainable, high-performance solutions in the biomedical field.
Equipment and Techniques
The 3D FabLab has state-of-the-art equipment covering the entire design and manufacturing chain.
- Multi-material & ceramic 3D printers
Manufacturing complex parts in polymers and, above all, in technical ceramics (laser stereolithography) suitable for bone substitutes. - Metal additive manufacturing systems (LPBF)
Development of robust implants from biocompatible alloys, including Titanium (Ti6Al4V), using laser powder bed fusion. - Advanced modelling software (CAD)
Computer-aided design for 3D reconstruction from medical imaging and topological optimisation of implants. - Post-processing and characterisation techniques
Polishing, high-temperature sintering, and dimensional inspection equipment to ensure mechanical and biological performance.
Applications
The 3D FabLab provides solutions tailored to clinical and industrial needs, with a wide range of applications.
- Customised medical implants
Bespoke design of orthopaedic, dental, or maxillofacial implants. - MedTech rapid prototyping
Accelerated development of innovative medical devices for startups and industrial partners. - Tissue engineering
Creation of biomimetic structures and 3D cell culture scaffolds for regenerative medicine. - Bioprinting
Advanced research into printing hydrogel structures for living tissue.
Partnerships and Impact
The 3D FabLab actively collaborates with academic, hospital, and industrial partners to ensure the transfer of innovations into practical applications.
- Improving personalised therapeutic solutions in orthopaedics and reconstructive surgery.
- Reducing the design and manufacturing lead times for medical devices through fast, optimised processes.
- Developing new biomedical approaches, such as bioprinting, to support advances in regenerative medicine.
- Supporting startups and MedTech SMEs in rapid prototyping of certifiable medical devices.
Contact
Head of the 3D FabLab technology platform.
With its state-of-the-art equipment and interdisciplinary expertise, the 3D FabLab is an essential technology platform for designing innovative medical solutions. It actively contributes to the advancement of personalised medicine, while supporting industrial innovation in the field of medical devices and biomaterials.