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The polyetherimide and polycarbonate filaments are suitable for a variety of medical applications, from conceptual modeling to functional prototyping and end-use parts.

Norbert Sparrow

May 17, 2018

3 Min Read
NPE2018: Sabic debuts medical-grade filaments for 3D printing, showcases contribution to migraine-treatment device

At NPE2018, chemicals company Sabic (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) emphasized a sharpened focus on the existing and emerging needs of customers. “That includes the needs of our customers’ customers,” noted Greg Adams, Vice President, Americas.

The geography Adams oversees is vitally important to Sabic, which has set a goal of doubling its manufacturing footprint in the United States within the next five years. It plans to grow sales from almost three million to about six million tons by 2022.

At its expansive booth in the south hall of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, Sabic displayed numerous products illustrating how its materials expertise is contributing to innovation across a range of sectors, including medical manufacturing, a key component of its growth strategy.

Sabic's new 3D-printing filaments can be used to produce medical casts with eye-catching designs. 

“Sabic has 10 years of involvement in the 3D-printing value chain," Keith Cox, Senior Business Manager, Additive Manufacturing Specialties, told PlasticsToday. At NPE2018, the company bolstered its legacy by announcing the third expansion of its 3D-printing materials portfolio in the past 12 months. Two of the three materials introduced at the event are formulated for healthcare applications: Ultem AMHU1010F and Lexan AMHC620F. The materials are designed for the fused deposition modeling process and are suited for prototyping as well as end-use applications.

Both filaments are made with medical-grade resins. As such, they are included in the company’s Healthcare Product Policy, which provides pre-assessment of resin biocompatibility according to ISO 10993 or USP Class VI standards, and have FDA Drug or Device Master File listings.

Are you sourcing medical-grade plastics or plastics processors with a medtech pedigree? Then you should make it a point to attend the co-located PLASTEC East and Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) East, part of the largest advanced design and manufacturing trade show and conference on the East Coast. The event comes to New York from June 12 to 14, 2018. Register now!

The Ultem AMHU1010F filament is a polyetherimide (PEI) product that provides inherent high-heat resistance. Parts printed with the  biocompatible filament can be sterilized using gamma radiation, ethylene oxide (EtO) or steam autoclaving. It is UL94 V-0 compliant at 1.5 mm and 5VA compliant at 3.0 mm.

The Lexan AMHC620F polycarbonate (PC) filament, available in white, is also biocompatible and withstands gamma or EtO sterilization. This filament meets UL94 HB rating at 1.5 mm.

Both filaments are suitable for a variety of medical devices, from conceptual modeling to functional prototyping and end-use parts. Possible custom or personalized applications include surgical instruments, single-use devices and casts/splints.

The third 3D-printing filament introduced at the show is Ultem AM1010F, which provides high-heat resistance—it has a glass transition temperature of 217° C—and mechanical strength. It can be used in applications such as short-cycle injection molding tools, carbon-fiber layup tools, and automotive components. The filament is UL94 V-0 compliant at 1.5 mm and 5VA compliant at 3.0 mm. 

The sTMS device from eNeura prevents and treats migraines via magnetic stimulation.

In its booth, Sabic also showed off a recently introduced medical device, which relied on traditional injection molding to achieve a sleek design. The sTMS mini device marketed by eNeura (Baltimore, MD) reportedly is a clinically proven migraine prevention and treatment product that uses magnetic stimulation to induce a mild electric current that modulates nerve cells in the brain. The non-invasive technology is believed to interrupt brain hyperactivity associated with migraine, according to the company. Sabic and molder PTA Plastics collaborated with eNeura to develop the housing, which is molded from a Lexan polycarbonate co-polymer.

Close collaboration helped eNeura accelerate time to market, noted David Rosen, eNeura CEO and President. “Fast service from Sabic—including a one-week turn-around on color matched samples—allowed us to move quickly to prototyping,” said Rosen.

The chemical- and impact-resistant material also met aesthetic requirements, which were important as the device is intended for use in the home, Ashir Thakore, Global Segment Leader, Healthcare, told PlasticsToday.

About the Author(s)

Norbert Sparrow

Editor in chief of PlasticsToday since 2015, Norbert Sparrow has more than 30 years of editorial experience in business-to-business media. He studied journalism at the Centre Universitaire d'Etudes du Journalisme in Strasbourg, France, where he earned a master's degree.

www.linkedin.com/in/norbertsparrow

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