Ruben Van de Sande—production manager at CADskills—explains the role of Air Liquide in the production of personalised implants by means of Selective Laser Melting (SLM).

CADskills is a Belgian hi-tech company designing and manufacturing personalised implants to replace or reconstruct parts of the human skeleton. Initially focusing on the skull and face, the company is gradually extending its range to the rest of the body.

There are quite a few things to bear in mind when considering the purchase of a Laser Beam Melting (LBM) machine. Such a purchasing decision is always complex because the choice of a particular machine often involves the choice of a specific ecosystem as well.

3D printing –also known as additive manufacturing– is rapidly gaining traction. One reason is that the technology is now mature enough to be used for series production. As a result, 3D printing is on the agenda of an increasing number of companies.

Air Liquide supplies gases, services and solutions for SLS, DLMS (SLM) and EBM printing to Benelux customers active in the aircraft industry, the automotive sector, dentistry and surgery.