Replique, a spin-off from BASF, is collaborating with wheelchair producer RehaMedPower to make use of HP’s Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) know-how for personalizing parts of a brand new electrical wheelchair, the RP1. Specializing in upkeep, restore, and overhaul (MRO) by way of 3D printing, Replique acts as an middleman that ensures the correct conversion, storage, and printing of design information. The corporate’s experience lies not solely in updating previous information for 3D printing but additionally in contributing to new design creations. On this particular enterprise, each RehaMedPower and Replique analyzed the RP1’s designs to establish areas the place 3D printing may provide a cheap resolution.

The corporate now makes use of 3D printing to provide between 19 and 23 elements manufactured from PA 12 MFP for every wheelchair, together with parts like headrest covers and footrests. By doing so, manufacturing time has been lowered by 30%. This method additionally permits for a broader collection of colours for numerous parts. Moreover, digital warehousing will probably be used to take care of a list of 3D-printed spare elements.

“With 3D-printed prototypes we had been in a position to scale back our improvement time considerably. In relation to serial manufacturing in our trade, teaming up with Replique additionally affords some essential advantages, resembling flexibility in demand planning with manufacturing on-demand and the flexibility to implement modifications quickly and provide particular elements to satisfy the person wants,” mentioned Thyl Junker, Head of Growth at RehaMedPower.

“Our collaboration with RehaMedPower exhibits, that 3D printing affords a lot extra than simply environment friendly prototyping. It allows corporations to ship extremely customer-centric options whereas remaining cost-effective and versatile in serial manufacturing due to our digital warehouse resolution. We’re trying ahead to simplifying the lifetime of RehaMedPower and most significantly, their valued sufferers,” mentioned Mark Winker, Technical Gross sales Supervisor at Replique.

This improvement is an thrilling instance of how a comparatively small agency can leverage 3D printing to avoid wasting on bills and expedite product improvement. As an alternative of getting to buy costly machines or purchase specialised experience, corporations can now merely depend on Replique. This not solely hastens the adoption of additive manufacturing but additionally amplifies its impression throughout your entire trade. With minimal upfront funding, it’s now simpler than ever to get began with 3D printing.

In the intervening time, the direct impression on the top consumer is pretty restricted. Nonetheless, the potential for higher affect is evident, particularly within the discipline of assistive gadgets—a sector I view as significantly promising for high-impact 3D printing purposes. I’m a powerful advocate for collaborative and open-source assistive gadgets. Think about, as an illustration, if Replique created a library of customizable assistive gadgets appropriate with a variety of wheelchairs. The probabilities are each intriguing and far-reaching.

Think about a situation the place the corporate creates customized holders for each kind of cellular phone, or designs tailor-made cup and water bottle holders. The scope for personalisation is huge, given that every particular person has distinctive wants, various existence, and totally different disabilities. Think about the day-to-day problem of navigating a wheelchair over uneven terrain whereas making an attempt to hold a Starbucks cup; the potential for elevated consolation and performance by means of customized gadgets is big. This might additionally turn out to be a income stream for assistive gadget corporations, concurrently enhancing buyer loyalty and satisfaction.

I imagine the longer term lies in these sorts of limited-production, high-impact parts. When paired with companies that proactively safe enterprise and facilitate buyer integration into the 3D printing ecosystem, the expansion potential is critical. Whereas breaking into markets like automotive manufacturing is worth it, smaller however extremely profitable alternatives are considerable. These niches are ideally fitted to 3D printing’s capabilities to provide low-volume, extremely particular elements effectively.