Precision 3D Printing

For more than 25 years, Medtronic has been a pioneer in diabetes management. Their insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring systems allow patients to track and manage glucose levels helping them lead a full, active life. So it is not surprising that this leader in the treatment of chronic diseases utilizes 3D Printers from 3D Systems to continuously improve and accelerate new product development.

The Medtronic - Diabetes automation strategy team, based in Northridge, California had historically outsourced their rapid prototyping to external service providers. Two years ago they identified 'time to market' as one of their most critical success factors and decided to bring the capability in-house. The team evaluated 3D printing technologies and selected the ProJet™ 3000 HD Professional Printer as the best solution for their needs.

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Orian Price, the SolidWorks Super User on the team, manages the ProJet™ 3000 which prints nearly round-the-clock. Their applications include new product concepts, tooling, rapid prototyping, packaging and training tools. "We leverage the ProJet™ for new products with extremely small internal cavities that must be accurate and functional - no other 3D printer offers this combination of precision and robust, durable parts. Our products are frequently so small that for training purposes we print them in enlarged cross sections so that people can actually see the ultra fine feature detail," explained Orian.

The requests for 3D printing have grown dramatically in the past year at Medtronic-Diabetes. To address these new applications they added a second ProJet™ HD 3000 to the R & D department. They have also established a profit center to provide service to other groups across the organization. "Our ProJet™ 3D Printers have become vital tools to Medtronic. A simulation can not match the power of holding your design in your hands, and, we have gained a real edge when it comes to 'time'," concluded Orian.