Aurora Labs (ASX:A3D), one of the ASX’s several small cap 3D printing stocks, is ready to develop 3D printed titanium medical implants.

The six-month project in collaboration with the University of Western Australia (UWA) and Royal Perth Hospital (RPH), will see the three entities develop “designs, specifications and parameters for the 3D printing of medical implants for use with humans”, using Aurora’s S-Titanium Pro Small Format Printer.

The results will then serve as a how-to instructional guide for future 3D printing of human medical implants.

Aurora, UWA and RPH will apply to Austrade for an Innovation Connection grant for the project, hoping to receive $26,000 in funding.

David Budge, managing director of Aurora Labs, said the project was a win for his company’s credibility and the potential applications of 3D printing in the healthcare sector.

“It also demonstrates the advancement of additive manufacturing into multiple fields,” he said. “The diversified use of titanium across a range of industries is well known, but in the medical field titanium is the most compatible metal with the human body.

“The suitability of Aurora’s technology can service the need for on-demand medical implants that are customised to the patient.”

How it will work

Aurora will provide UWA and RPH with one of its printers and metallic consumable powders — i.e. ink — free of charge.

The University of Western Australia will investigate implant characteristics suitable for tissue ingrowth and assess materials that will determine the best size and distribution for consistent printing results.

The Royal Perth Hospital will provide appropriate designs of craniology plates for printing for the project and consult on the cranioplasty application after printing.

Aurora staff will also be made available to UWA and RPH to assist with printer maintenance and training.

A3D shares rose 2 per cent on the news to 42c.

Aurora Labs (ASX:A3D) shares over the past year.