EBM chosen to make medical implants

GE Additive and Orchid Orthopedic Solutions have signed an agreement to develop electron beam melting (EBM) for medical implants.

Plans are for Orchid to purchase GE Additive’s EBM Spectra L 3D printing machines and AP&C’s metal powders to make large orthopedic implants, such as complete knee components and acetabular cups.

“As devices increase in complexity, this new EBM additive manufacturing capability with scalable precision allows cost-effective manufacturing to complement conventional methods,” the companies said.

“I look forward to our teams building a long-term relationship over the coming years,” said Riccardo Procacci, president and CEO, GE Additive. “I have personal experience overseeing the deployment of a large fleet of industrialized EBM. []…] I also continue to be amazed at how our existing medical customers and orthopedic community are using metal additive to innovate and drive better and often personalized outcomes for patients.”

Production is expected to begin in 2024.