Oculox Technologies is developing a new laser delivery device to treat eye-retina pathologies. FORMED’s 3D printing service resulted to be fondamental in this project. SLA 3D printing technologies are particularly suitable for demanding applications where surface quality, precision, and accuracy of functional parts are critical.

 

The projet

Oculox Technologies SA is a Swiss start-up active in the medical devices sector. In close collaboration with doctors, it aims to improve, optimize, and personalize patient care. Its activities are focused on the development and integration of the most advanced technologies for precision medicine. Currently, Oculox Technologies is developing a new laser delivery device for the eye-retina treatment. The Alpha prototype of its device is being finalized.

 

The challenge

The laser delivery device under development is an highly interdisciplinary initiative. Like many industrial systems and projects, the device developed by Oculox Technologies includes multiple parts, produced using different techniques (sheet metal, machining, molding, FDM 3D printing, etc.). In addition, the manufacturing and assembly of optical systems require great mechanical precision. The challenge was to find the right technologies to support the realization of the first demonstrators-prototypes with the needed accuracy and quality while keeping lead times and costs under control. During this prototyping phase, a very flexible production method is a game changing factor, allowing for rapid testing and design modification while converging to the desired final properties.

 

The solution : FORMED SLA 3D printing services

To produce some elements, Oculox Technologies turned to FORMED and its SLA 3D printing services, making it possible to meet all of these requirements. In tight collaboration, functional parts were thus manufactured and integrated into the Alpha prototype. Some of the produced parts are also designed and used for calibration purposes. The mechanical stability of the 3D printed elements results to be compliant with the required optical quality.

To date, 77 parts were printed in black resin, ideal for optical applications, with a layer thickness of 50 microns for greater accuracy. Parts quality, and more precisely their surface finish, is also a great advantage to show the prototype to potential investors and customers. For Filippo Piffaretti, founder and CEO of Oculox Technologies, the 3D printing service offered by FORMED perfectly combines quality, speed and costs control. In addition, he particularly appreciates the contact and trust that quickly established between the two partners.

« SLA 3D printing is a great opportunity for our development processes. The flexibility, the high precision and the surface finish allow us to produce functional parts, and even to consider technology for small batch production. The service, the relationship of trust and the quality offered by FORMED perfectly match our expectations. » Filippo Piffaretti, founder and CEO of Oculox Technologies SA.

 

Perspectives

The Alpha prototype allowed to freeze the product specifications. The rationalization and production of the Beta prototype will allow to consolidate with exhaustive certified laboratory tests allowing to face regulatory and certification phase.

 

FORMED is very pleased with this great collaboration and to be able to contribute to the success of Oculox Technologies and its projects.

Do you have a demanding development project and are you looking for a partner to produce your prototypes?
Choose FORMED if you don’t want to choose between quality, speed and costs !
Do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.