Case Study: Colfeed4Print achieves patient-specific biocompatible elbow grafts with MakerBot METHOD LABS

Makerbot Method 3d Printer and Labs Experimental Extruder Used to R&d Bone-friendly Biocompatible Material for Elbow Graft

Colfeed4Print, part of the Spanish National Research Council’s Colloidal Processing group, develops biocompatible 3D printing filaments for bone and tissue regeneration (notably the osseoinductive Oss filament). Their challenge was to produce implant-ready, bone-friendly grafts with precise geometry and repeatable manufacturing so a custom elbow graft could be prepared ahead of surgery. To meet this need they used MakerBot equipment—specifically the MakerBot METHOD and MakerBot LABS platforms.

MakerBot implemented a controlled-printing solution using METHOD’s heated chamber and the LABS experimental extruder (with a 200 N torque drive, long single-piece nozzle and air filtration) to reliably print Oss filament with high precision. The result was an “extremely good” surface finish, a graft that can be printed pre-operatively (avoiding manual carving in the OR), and a repeatable, safer R&D process that supports customized implants and can help reduce re-interventions—demonstrating MakerBot’s suitability for advanced biomaterial development.

Colfeed4Print