3D Printing Information Briefs, February 1, 2025: Patent Infringement, Aligner Attachments, & Extra – 3DPrint.com

In as we speak’s 3D Printing Information Briefs, we’re discussing an mental property (IP) dispute, a gross sales partnership, steel 3D printed bioimplants, a 3D printed well being complement, and 3D printed aligner attachments. Learn on for all the main points!

Firestorm Labs Filed IP Lawsuit In opposition to RapidFlight

San Diego-based Firestorm Labs, which desires to use 3D printing to automate the manufacturing of drones, is concentrating on RapidFlight in an mental property (IP) dispute. Within the case filed in the USA District Courtroom for the Southern District of California, Firestorm Labs (the plaintiff) claims that its competitor falsely accused its 3D printed Tempest drone of infringing on US patent numbers 11,597,490 and 11,840,323, which relate to drone airframe constructions with a number of 3D printed sections. Firestorm requested a jury trial and stated within the court docket submitting that Virginia-based RapidFlight, which additionally makes 3D printed drones, did not compete when it comes to value, efficiency, and expertise capabilities. The producer additionally stated that the defendant is utilizing “unsupported threats in an try to bully Firestorm out of the trade,” and made unsupported allegations to its potential clients.

Firestorm preemptively filed the Criticism for Patent Infringement Lawsuit in anticipation of RapidFlight submitting a patent infringement lawsuit. The go well with makes a number of allegations in opposition to RapidFlight, stating that the corporate made repeated accusations and authorized threats in opposition to Firestorm, similar to demanding that it cease promoting its alleged infringed merchandise, destroy the stock, and pay royalties inside two weeks. The plaintiff says it responded in good religion, despite the fact that the accusations had been false, and stated that RapidFlight refused to interact and attain a decision. Firestorm is requesting a declaration from RapidFlight stating that it has not infringed on these two patents, along with compensation for authorized charges and different extra reduction. This case is barely the newest patent infringement and IP challenge within the AM trade – in 2024 alone, Stratasys sued Bambu Lab, Anker Improvements settled a lawsuit with Slice Engineering, and Markforged was ordered to pay Steady Composites a $25 million settlement. With the army implications of 3D printing drones, this case between Firestorm Labs and RapidFlight will definitely be one to observe intently.

Meltio & MCAE Programs to Drive Progress in Czech Republic & Slovakia

Spanish multinational Meltio has introduced a brand new gross sales associate, MCAE Programs, to assist increase progress of its wire laser steel deposition (W-LMD) expertise within the Czech and Slovak markets. MCAE Programs is a high Czech expertise firm, specializing in complete 3D options for product growth and manufacturing. It has the most important expertise portfolio within the Czech and Slovak markets, together with augmented actuality (AR), 3D printing, 3D scanning, industrial metrology, and extra, and now provides Meltio’s steel AM to the record. Meltio’s expertise, constructed round protected and reasonably priced welding wire, permits industrial functions, and MCAE Programs will work to construct a robust, supportive ecosystem for Meltio within the Czech and Slovak markets. The corporate will drive enterprise alternatives for Meltio by partnering with tooling machine corporations, academia, expertise facilities, trade, and robotic integrators to distribute and assist Meltio’s W-LMD options.

“In almost 30 years of working with 3D applied sciences, we’ve constructed a robust place available in the market and a deep understanding of our clients’ wants,” stated Miloslav Drápela, CEO of MCAE Programs. “The partnership with Meltio will enable us to mix a few years of expertise in each 3D printing and CAD/CAM and manufacturing on CNC machines and robots. Laser steel welding expertise completely enhances our huge portfolio {of professional} manufacturing applied sciences and we’re satisfied that it’ll open up new utility prospects within the discipline of steel 3D printing for our clients.”

Meltio’s W-LMD Pioneered Biomedical Implants for ATILA Mission 

Proforma distal radius plate and acetabular implant proforma.

Its new partnership with MCAE Programs isn’t the one information Meltio is sharing. The ATILA analysis undertaking, which is creating biomedical titanium implants utilizing Meltio’s wire-LMD expertise, confirmed that Meltio’s welding wire resolution has been a profitable contribution to those implants. The initiative in Spain was funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, the European Union, and the State Analysis Company to review and develop a high-protection steel AM course of with multi-laser wire for processing extremely reactive supplies. The multidisciplinary consortium is led by Spanish analysis heart Aidimme and contains Meltio, the analysis basis of  Hospital Common Universitario de Valencia FIHGUV, and the College of Salamanca ALF USAL analysis group. The consortium carried out a research to seek out the geometric limitations of the DED-LB/M course of when printing elements with various complexities, in addition to a feasibility research of a number of biomedical implant prototypes, like an acetabular hip implant and a distal radius plate for the forearm. Meltio additionally held a common webinar this fall about its work with the ATILA undertaking.

“To conclude and after the progress of the ATILA undertaking analysis in 2024 we may guarantee that though there are already metallic additive manufacturing applied sciences that use powder as uncooked materials (PBF-LB/M and PBF-EB/M) and that enable the manufacture of implants in Titanium alloys, offering nice benefits within the perform of those merchandise because of their excessive capability of adaptation to the affected person, additionally they enable offering the implants with three-dimensional constructions that favor the expansion of the bone within the affected person,” stated the ATILA Mission consortium administration. “Because of the ATILA undertaking, an implant manufacturing expertise is being developed, referred to as DED-LB/M, which is fed with titanium welding wire; this reality can present an vital aggressive benefit by assuring the standard of the implants produced. The main focus of this expertise is to have the ability to receive preforms near the ultimate product, in order to restrict the quantity of waste with respect to conventional machining ranging from a block, right here we see the significance of the undertaking.”

Honey Used to Develop 3D Printed Cacao-Based mostly Well being Complement

A group of researchers from Queen’s College Belfast used honey from Greece to develop what they name a primary of its type 3D printed cacao-based well being complement. Led by Professor Dimitrios Lamprou from the College of Pharmacy at Queen’s, the analysis exhibits how superior manufacturing in healthcare, like meals 3D printing, can be utilized to make nutrient-rich dietary supplements which can be tailor-made to particular affected person wants. The 3D printed formulation combines Vitamin D3 with Greek honey, that are each identified for supporting the immune system. The honey incorporates thyme, which gives a selected anti-inflammatory impact (particularly in respiratory infections), and Greek sage, or asfaka; this incorporates phenolic compounds which shield in opposition to microbial infections and oxidative stress, whereas additionally serving to to deal with inflammatory ailments. Each of those components possess robust antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, so it is sensible that this honey—supplied by beekeeper Ioannis Argyris from the Euboea Island in Greece—was used.

“With my earlier background as a pharmacist, I do know all too properly the potential points poor affected person adherence to drugs can have on remedy efficacy,” stated Dr. Matthew Wylie, a lecturer at Queen’s who was on the analysis group. “That is particularly the case for youthful sufferers who could refuse to take drugs because of poor palatability. Our strategy gives a easy technique to probably enhance the acceptability of medicines by means of the taste-masking properties of cacao and honey. Furthermore, we’ve proven the Greek honey variants used on this research possessed inhibitory results in opposition to pathogenic micro organism which may present additional well being advantages.”

Solventum’s 3D Printed Aligner Attachments in North America

3M Readability Precision Grip Attachments are a totally cured composite attachment system that allows flash-less bonding and sturdy efficiency. Photograph: Solventum.

Healthcare firm Solventum not too long ago launched its 3M Readability Precision Grip Attachments for aligner remedy within the main North American markets of Canada and the U.S. The corporate says that by eliminating the standard prolonged, technique-sensitive attachment creation course of, its 3D printed Readability Precision Grip Attachments may revolutionize aligner remedy. These attachments are absolutely cured, pre-loaded, and observe the digital remedy plan post-bonding, enabling the creation of robust and correct aligner attachments. As a result of these attachments are made with 3D printing, they may also be personalized to a affected person’s distinctive tooth anatomy. Plus, by combining inorganic filler and natural resin, and utilizing post-processing strategies, Solventum says the 3D printed attachments are extra sturdy and stain-resistant than ones made with the composites utilized in present attachment procedures. 3M Readability Precision Grip Attachments can be found within the U.S. and Canada, with extra international regulatory submissions and approvals pending.

“It is a enormous step ahead for aligner remedy,” stated orthodontic specialist Christian Groth, DDS M.S. “For the primary time in aligner historical past, attachments on the enamel will really mirror what we’ve on the display screen, which I imagine will enable us to be much more environment friendly with these robust actions that clear aligners wrestle with. My group loves these.”

You may add 3M Readability Precision Grip Attachments to Readability Aligners circumstances on the Oral Care Portal.