Advancing Medical Innovation: I-Form and Croom Medical Collaboration
I-Form, the Research Ireland Centre for Advanced Manufacturing, has played a key role in supporting Croom Medical’s latest advancements in Additive Manufacturing (AM). As part of the EU-backed Eureka programme, Croom Medical collaborated with I-Form and Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) to refine metal AM processes, leading to a 5% increase in annual market share and the creation of two new specialist roles.
Through this collaboration, I-Form helped drive innovation in AM for orthopaedic implants, focusing on improving component quality, production yield, and cost competitiveness. The project also enhanced rapid prototyping capabilities, enabling the manufacture of complex geometries and porous structures while reducing material waste and production costs.
Securing national funding for the initiative was a major milestone, facilitated by Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Ireland. By leveraging digital technologies and advanced materials processing, I-Form continues to work with organisations like Croom Medical in developing next-generation manufacturing solutions. This success highlights the transformative impact of AM in the medical device industry and underscores I-Form’s commitment to driving innovation in Irish manufacturing.
Read more about this collaboration here - Irish Times , Irish Examiner