Protolabs Expands SLA Offerings with New Biocompatible Resin

Digital manufacturing provider Protolabs is now offering Medical White (MED-WHT 10), a biocompatible photopolymer, through its on-demand production services. This new resin is utilized on Axtra3D's Lumia X1, a Hi-Speed SLA system that employs the company's Hybrid PhotoSynthesis (HPS) process. Medical White becomes the fifth production-ready material available in Protolabs' lineup for the Lumia X1.

Protolabs is currently operating three Lumia X1 units to fulfill orders for both industrial and healthcare applications. This collaboration extends beyond a standard equipment sale, involving joint efforts between engineering teams from both companies to identify potential applications, select suitable resins from Axtra3D's network of material suppliers, and validate the complete production workflow before customer delivery.

Kenny Capps, Director of Manufacturing Operations for 3D Printing at Protolabs, stated, "The addition of Medical White reflects our continued commitment to providing customers with production-ready materials that solve real manufacturing challenges." He further noted that the partnership with Axtra3D has facilitated a rapid expansion of their Advanced Photopolymers offering with qualified materials, enabling customers to confidently transition from prototyping to end-use production.

The Medical White resin is specifically designed for parts requiring biocompatibility, sterilization compatibility, dimensional stability, and a refined visual finish. It meets ISO 10993-5 requirements for cytotoxicity and ISO 10993-10 standards for sensitization and irritation, making it suitable for regulated end-use production. Potential applications include surgical guides, splints, diagnostic components, anatomical models, dental parts, and electronic or industrial components that must maintain tight tolerances under heat.