Arburg Freeformer Prints Implants Made from Medically Approved PEEK

Arburg is expanding its range of materials for its Freeformer 300-3X which can now convert medically approved Evonik PEEK originals into implants. PEEK is formed from medically approved original plastic granules, which can be an advantage for the additive manufacturing (AM) industry as it can also be used for technical parts.

PEEK (polyether ether ketone) is of particular interest for medical technology applications, the company says. Arburg’s Freeformer 300-3X, which is designed for high-temperature applications, can convert its partner Evonik’s original Vestakeep i2 G plastic granules into customized skull implants for the first time. The original material, which is approved for permanently implantable medical devices, broadens the application spectrum across which Arburg Plastic Freeforming (APF) can be used.

The APF process is of particular interest when it comes to practical use in medical technology, as it enables process quality to be reliably documented and for each component to be carefully traced, the company says. It is said Arburg’s Freeformer machines can additively manufacture positive material bonds in hard/soft combinations and convert very soft original materials into fully functional parts. The machines use APF to process original plastic granules in the production of these complex functional parts, which is said to make them well suited for the medical, OEM and automotive industries.