BY JAYASYALINY JAYARAJ
THE 3D-printing revolution is here. From guns and houses to prosthetic limbs and vehicle parts – if you can “think” it, you can print it. In fact any inanimate matter can be 3D-printed. Imagine being able to print a human kidney, or a brand new beating heart!
3D Gens Sdn Bhd, a homegrown company is at the living edge of 3D printing and is poised to take this industry to new heights. The company which received Business Start-up Fund (BSF) from Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), aims for new innovation in medical and surgical procedure by implementing 3D printing manufacturing method such as cranio and maxillofacial customize implants in medical industry.
“3D printing is a process that involves
[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]building of a three-dimensional object under computer control in which materials are usually added layer by layer. It is also known as additive manufacturing,” says the company’s design engineer Muhammad Al Hafiz Jefferi when met at the Industry4WRD Summit 2019.
The event co-organised by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers was recently hosted in Kuala Lumpur. According to Muhammad Al Hafiz Jefferi 3D Gens first started business about four years ago by penetrating into potential niche areas in the medical industry sector.
He said the company started looking into three (3) key areas such as 3D simulation analysis, 3D anatomical model for surgical planning and manufacturing of customised medical devices and implants through 3d printing applications.
He said 3D printing involves three basic steps. The process started with data acquisition, 3D design and 3D print which require very specific software, skills and resources.
“For instance, to fabricate patient’s skull model for an implant starts with acquire data from the patient’s medical image such as CT scan. The data is then converted into the CAD software for designing and modelling. Upon confirmation, the design will be printed using a suitable 3D printing machine. This way a medical image data is conveniently converted into a 3D model.
Surgeons are able to proceed with further diagnosis and analysis before conducting a surgery using the 3D simulation provided by us or to proceed with 3D anatomical model with our 3D printing facilities.” he added. He said that the struggle is huge when trying to work with hospitals and medical experts.
“The key problem is miscommunication when it comes to getting the 3D data ready since it involves medical and scientific knowledge in ensuring the 3D data is precise before proceed with the fabrication of the customized implant.
“Besides 3D printing services, we also provide tailored trainings and consultation on how to choose the right 3D printing machine, how to use it and how to get the model image ready. We also sell 3D printers,” he added.
According to him, in addition to medical implant and devices, 3D Gens has also ventured into digital dentistry and engineering applications. “3D Gens is currently looking at incorporating metal printing into their existing 3D printing materials. Metal as a printing material would provide benefits to not only in medical industry but to other industries as well such as manufacturing, automotive and aerospace,” he added.
Muhammad Al Hafiz said 3D printing technology is relatively new in Malaysia and most of the industries are not familiar with this technology. The company’s founder, Dr Izhar Aziz, hopes 3D Gens Sdn Bhd could be the catalyst that changes Malaysia’s manufacturing landscape and drive the nation towards digital manufacturing.
Present as one of the exhibitors at the (MTDC) booth during the Industry4WRD Summit 2019, 3D Gens expressed their gratitude to MTDC for the financial aid provided to start up their business. 3D Gens is one of the community of Center of 9Pillars (Co9P), a community-based centre owned by MTDC which would provide Industry 4.0 solution needed by the industries. [/ihc-hide-content]
