A manufacturer of additive fabrication machines for prototyping and direct digital manufacturing offers a biocompatible material for use with one of its systems. Stratasys GmbH (Frankfurt, Germany; www.stratasys.com) has introduced ABS-M30i, which is as much as 67% stronger than its regular ABS prototyping material, for prototyping and production applications involving medical or pharmaceutical equipment. Companies operating the manufacturer’s FDM 400mc fused-deposition modelling system can use the material to make products such as surgical instruments and pharmaceutical processing equipment and packages in accordance with standards set by US FDA and ISO 10993.
Not only is ABS-M30i biocompatible; it also exhibits very good tensile, impact, and flexural strength, and its bonding strength between layers is more than twice that of the alternative ABS, enabling the creation of constructions suitable for functional testing or direct supply to customers. Available in a natural off-white colour, the material can be sterilized by means of gamma irradiation or exposure to ethylene oxide. Parts can be built from it in layers 0.005-, 0.007-, 0.010-, or 0.013-in. thick. The biocompatible ABS works with a soluble support technology that allows automated support-material removal to complete the build.
