Description
The Joint Research Unit in Biomedical Design and Manufacturing (BIOFAB) is a mixed research and development platform created to carry out research, development, and innovation activities in the field of biomedical design and manufacturing, an area framed within the discipline of Biomedical Engineering.
Team
Mr. Francisco Javier Esclapés (Scientific Director of BIOFAB and UA Researcher)
Mr. Daniel Ruiz (UA Researcher)
Mr. José Ignacio Gallego (Head of Neuroradiology, H.G.U. Dr. Balmis – ISABIAL)
Mr. José Navarro (Coordinator of the Simulation and Innovation Laboratory of Alicante – ISABIAL – SimIA)
Mr. Antonio García (Head of the Traumatology Department, H.G.U. Dr. Balmis – ISABIAL)
Mr. Luis Concepción (Head of the Radiodiagnostics Department, H.G.U. Dr. Balmis – ISABIAL)
Ms. Cristina Alenda (Deputy Scientific Director of ISABIAL and Scientific Director of the Biobank, H.G.U. Dr. Balmis) Ms. Irene Hernández (Traumatology Department, H.G.U. Dr. Balmis)
Ms. Inés Cólliga (BIOFAB Coordinator and Biomedical Engineer, ISABIAL)
Mr. Antonio Molina (3D Technical Staff, ISABIAL, and Biomedical Engineer)
BIOFAB is composed of several research groups:
- Design Engineering and Technological Development (University of Alicante)
- Bioinspired Engineering and Health Informatics (University of Alicante)
- Medical Imaging for Diagnosis (ISABIAL)
- Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología (ISABIAL)
- Clinical Simulation and Innovation (ISABIAL)
Resources
- UA Laboratory
- FDM – Creality CR10 S5
- FDM – Artillery Sidewinder x2
- SLA – Formlabs Form 3 (3 units)
- LA (Stereolithography)
- 3D Laboratory – Traumatology Department, Dr. Balmis University General Hospital
- FDM – Ultimaker S5
- FDM – Creality CR10
- FDM – Creality Ender 3
- SimIA Laboratory – ISABIAL Simulation and Innovation Laboratory (Simulación e Innovación de Alicante)
- FDM – Ultimaker S3
- FDM – Sneaker XL
- Artefactos Association
- FDM – Creality Ender 3 (4 units)
- FDM – Creality CR‑10 (3 units)
Projects
The Joint Research Unit in Biomedical Design and Manufacturing (BIOFAB) makes all its knowledge, experience, and additive manufacturing technology available to the medical and scientific community—both within ISABIAL and in other public or private institutions—for biomedical research projects focused on surgical training and planning, medical or surgical instrumentation, clinical simulation, orthotics and prosthetics, assistive products, among others.
3D Printing
The BIOFAB Joint Unit manages the 3D printing service of ISABIAL and the University of Alicante jointly, exclusively for research purposes within the field of Biomedical Engineering.
- The maximum printing area size for FDM is 500 mm × 500 mm × 500 mm, and for SLA it is 145 mm × 145 mm × 185 mm.
- It is recommended that all nerves in the parts have a minimum diameter of 3 mm or a square cross‑section of 2.5 mm × 2.5 mm. Below these sizes, the result may not be as expected.
- In the case of assembling parts, it is advisable to leave a tolerance of 0.4 mm between the fitting surfaces so that they can be properly inserted.
- The minimum layer thickness is 0.2 mm; if a higher resolution is required, please indicate it in the form.
- The files submitted must be in .stl format. This export option can be found in many programs that work in 3D.
- It is important to check before and after the export process that the design is a completely closed object so that it is recognized as a solid.
- It is a three‑dimensional object, and the file dimensions must be in millimeters. The scale is 1:1.
- The model must be oriented in the same direction in which it is intended to be printed. If you want to modify the orientation of the part, please indicate it in the form.
- If the file does not meet the requirements for any reason, an email will be sent indicating this and it will remain pending correction.
- BioFab is not responsible for the use made of the printed parts.
Additive Manufacturing Technologies and Materials
FDM, Fused Deposition Modeling or Fused Filament Fabrication
This technology manufactures parts by melting and extruding filament, which is deposited layer by layer onto the build area.
- Basic. PLA, a biodegradable thermoplastic made from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane.
- TPU, a thermoplastic elastomer based on polyurethane, has a high coefficient of friction and great softness.
- Technical. PETG/PP, a thermoplastic with exceptional mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance properties.
- Check availability and price.
SLA, Stereolithography Apparatus or Stereolithography
It uses the principle of photopolymerization to create 3D models from UV‑sensitive resins. The material is solidified by the passage of a laser, layer by layer, which results in higher‑quality models compared with other technologies.
- Formlabs Tough 2000 mimics the feel and many of the key mechanical properties of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
- Formlabs Durable, impact‑resistant, has high wear resistance, and is capable of deforming extensively before breaking.
- Formlabs Elastic 50A is an elastomer designed for applications that require high elongation and strong rebound energy.
- Formlabs Flexible is an elastomer designed to print rigid and flexible parts that simulate the flexibility of rubber.
- Formlabs Clear, excellent for fluidic components, mold fabrication, optical applications, lighting systems, and any part that needs to be translucent or reveal internal details.
- Formlabs High Temp is designed to create functional prototypes for applications exposed to high temperatures.
- BioMed White Resin, an opaque white medical material suitable for biocompatible applications that require long‑term skin contact or short‑term contact with mucous membranes. Certified for short‑term contact with tissue, bone, and dentin. With USP Class VI certification, it is suitable for pharmaceutical and drug‑delivery applications.
- BioMed Black Resin, a matte black medical material suitable for biocompatible applications that require long‑term skin contact or short‑term contact with mucous membranes. With USP Class VI certification, it is suitable for applications that require high contrast for visualization.
- BioMed Clear Resin, a transparent medical material suitable for rigid, non‑brittle biocompatible applications that require prolonged skin and mucous‑membrane contact, as well as for end‑use medical devices. Validated according to ISO 18562, suitable for respiratory gas‑path applications in the healthcare sector. With USP Class VI certification, it has a Device Master File with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- BioMed Amber Resin, a rigid medical material suitable for biocompatible applications that require long‑term skin contact or short‑term contact with mucous membranes. Validated according to ISO 13485.*
Validated according to ISO 10993‑5, ISO 10993‑10, ISO 10993‑23. It can be sterilized by autoclave, electron beam, gamma radiation, and ethylene oxide.