Case study : Lattice Medical
How Lattice Medical overcame particle challenges in cleanrooms
I. About Lattice Medical
Lattice Medical was founded in 2017, a company specializing in tissue engineering, biomaterials and 3D printing. Lattice Medical has developed 2 devices: MATTISSE is a 3D-printed absorbable breast prosthesis, and RODIN is a matrix enabling hypodermis regeneration.
Business sector
- Manufacture of medical equipment.
Company size
- 20 people.
Head office
- 80 rue du Docteur Yersin, Loos, France
Applications
- Custom Enclosure
- AlveoPro
Customer since 2019
II. The Challenges
1. High particulate emissions
Filament maker of 3Devo emitted too many particles, making it impossible to comply with ISO7 cleanroom standards.
2. Space constraints
The option of using another space with a less stringent ISO standard was not viable, as there was no suitable available space offered by Cousin Surgery.
3. Impact of emissions on operations
The level of particulate pollution from extrusion was too high to allow the machines to be used in the ISO7 cleanroom without adaptation.
III. Our Solutions
1. Why choose the Alveo3D solution ?
When we started setting up our pilot plant between 2019 and 2020, there weren’t many solutions for shutting down the printers. What’s more, the systems were designed for very specific machine models.
What’s more, we wanted to enclose an extruder (not a 3D printer), so we had to find someone capable of making custom enclosures.
Then we came across your stand at the 3D Print show in Lyon 2019, and said to ourselves “bingo“, we’ve found a solution that meets our specific needs.
Plastic extruder enclosure
Cleanroom ISO7 of Lattice Medical
2. What specific models of Alveo3D enclosure or filters have you used ?
In the early days, I believe there was only one type of filter. So, we had adapted this filter to our custom-built cabinet.
Over time, however, we realized that the 1ᵉʳ filter model was not sufficient. And so in 2022, we got back in touch to find out how we could optimize the solution we had.
So we got back in touch and had several technical exchanges to define our needs more precisely. So we switched to the AlveoPRO system, and were one of the first to test and purchase it.
3. What was the installation process like?
Installation and integration went very quickly. The housing was delivered pre-assembled, and the filtration system can be fitted very quickly. Finally, operation is very simple, with no room for error, with the choice of ventilation intensity and time.
However, Alveo3D has always been very responsive to our requests and very accommodating. I’m thinking in particular of the pre-tests of the AlveoPRO system. In fact, we were able to use the prototypes as a preview to find out whether the system could meet our needs.
AlveoPro: 3D printer fume extractor system
IV. Results
- Reduced particulate emissions : Ability to continue using extruders under cleanroom conditions, in compliance with ISO7 standards.
- Other advantages and disadvantages : Ease of use and challenges such as heat management in the chamber.
“The Alveo3D enclosure system provided a solution to a production particulate contamination problem. This solution enabled us to comply with the particle threshold in cleanrooms (ISO7), while extruding a polymer filament.”
Discuss your custom cabinet solution with our experts
Alveo3D offers solutions tailored to specific needs for your enclosure, including temperature stabilization and filtration systems, essential for high-quality technical prints. You can also request an online quote for these customized housings.
