Croom Medical and GAM test tantalum 3D printed implants | VoxelMatters - The heart of additive manufacturing

have developed a closed-loop supply chain for tantalum powder, using Colibrium Additive’s M2 laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) technology to enhance additive manufacturing efficiency with a specific focus on 3D printed implants.

Dr. Shane Keaveney, R&D Manager at Croom Medical, emphasized the promise of tantalum: “Tantalum’s purity and properties make it a strong candidate for next-generation implants. Croom Medical’s experience and commitment to innovation, combined with GAM’s expertise, enable us to deliver advanced solutions tailored to OEM needs.”

Tantalum, widely used in electronics and aerospace, also has a long history in medical implants due to its biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties. These attributes make it ideal for supporting bone growth and reducing implant failures from stress shielding and toxicity. However, its adoption in additive manufacturing has been limited compared to materials like titanium and cobalt-chromium.

Croom Medical and GAM are addressing this challenge by creating a circular supply chain for tantalum powder. After 3D printing, unused or end-of-life powder is returned to GAM for recycling and reprocessing, reducing waste and ensuring sustainability.

Croom Medical, a leader in advanced medical manufacturing, has invested heavily in additive technology. The company has produced over 60,000 medical devices with materials including titanium, cobalt-chromium, stainless steel, and tantalum. It specializes in porous, osteoconductive structures tailored to patient anatomies.

GAM, based in Pennsylvania, supplies ultra-pure spherical tantalum powder and is crucial in ensuring a stable, high-quality material stream for additive manufacturing. Its ability to recycle tantalum enhances both cost efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Using Colibrium Additive’s M2 printer, Croom Medical and GAM have developed high-precision, lightweight, and porous structures optimized for medical implants. The M2’s high resolution, repeatability, and scalability make it ideal for serial production in highly regulated industries like medical and aerospace.

With several customers already in the prototyping phase, tantalum additive manufacturing is now available under Croom Medical’s contract manufacturing model, paving the way for future medical innovations.