Industrial-grade color 3D printing is being combined with software for a new era of medical applications.

By combining the XRIZE color 3D printer with Simpleware solutions, RIZE can print geometrically complex parts with different colors to indicate different sections. Here, the XRIZE printer can print an anatomical heart with different colors depicting its various segments. (Image courtesy of RIZE Inc.)

RIZE recently announced that its XRIZE industrial color printer is compatible with Simpleware, an FDA 510(k)-cleared software tool designed by Synopsys. Simpleware provides solutions pertaining to image processing and segmentation, high-quality 3D model designs, analysis and measurement of anatomies, and the development of realistic models that can aid during surgery planning. Harnessing Simpleware will allow XRIZE 3D printers to produce medical-grade replicas and parts ranging from orthopedics, cardiovascular support structures and dentures that are accurate, scalable and colored.

“3D printing in the healthcare sector is growing at the fastest pace ever. Healthcare professionals need safe systems that can be easily operated from homes/offices or point-of-care with the least amount of complexity,” said founder and CEO of RIZE, Eugene Giller. “Together with Synopsys, we’re delighted to advance the state of what’s possible in scan-to-print medical modeling, so that teams can create highly affordable full color, functional medical models for planning, patient and family education—seamlessly and efficiently.”

The XRIZE printing a multi-colored part. RIZE has been added to the World Economic Forum 2020 Technology Pioneers list, and is known for its sustainable, environment-friendly materials and practices in additive manufacturing. It has also received the UL GREENGUARD certification safe to use printer materials and inks. (Image courtesy of RIZE Inc.)

A New Era of Complexity in 3D Printing

Based in Massachusetts, RIZE is an additive manufacturing 2.0 company that focuses on sustainable innovations in full-color additive manufacturing. Their XRIZE printer is considered a premier additive manufacturing color printer that is capable of printing parts in a variety of colors using RIZE’s patented augmented material deposition (AMD). Parts printed through AMD are isotopically complex while blending a variety of colors seamlessly and requiring minimal post-processing. Just as importantly, RIZE’s catalog of materials—especially engineered thermoplastics, polymers and carbon composites—are all recyclable and non-toxic.

Through AMD, the XRIZE printer can print parts with complex color schemes and shapes. Here, the XRIZE has printed a Fanta can with sophisticated logos and images. (Image courtesy of RIZE Inc.)

By incorporating Simpleware software, the XRIZE printers will be able to print complex, biodegradable parts that are robust and safe when used in a human body, be it dentures or cardiovascular aids. Regardless of how complex the parts are in geometry or color, the XRIZE printers will be able to create the parts at a rate that will reduce time and cost by as much as 90 percent. Moreover, by having multiple color blends in the 3D printed parts, designers can use color variance to highlight different anatomical features, from various chambers of an anatomical heart to changing bone densities.

“Our technology has a proven track record for processing 3D images and creating models for a wide variety of applications,” said Terry Ma, Engineering Vice President at Synopsys. “Adding regulatory clearance for point-of-care 3D printing enables our growth in the point-of-care clinical space, where Simpleware software and our team’s technical expertise will allow for better patient care and a faster workflow for medical professionals.”