The research activities of the 3D Printing and Visualisation Centre at the University of Pécs Medical School lie at the interface between basic research in medicine and health sciences and applied research and development. The Centre operates within an interdisciplinary research environment, where expertise in medicine, engineering and materials science is integrated. Basic research activities – in particular, experimental and methodological developments relating to materials testing and 3D printing technologies – lay the foundations for subsequent applied developments and prototype-level implementations. The focus of research and development activities is on the development of technical solutions, bespoke devices and prototypes that respond to clinical and educational needs. The Centre’s role is to support research findings and development needs through engineering design, additive manufacturing and functional prototypes. This translational approach ensures a direct link between basic research findings and applied medical developments within the university ecosystem.
Research infrastructure and laboratory facilities
The Centre’s research and development activities are supported by an integrated technical infrastructure that covers the entire process of 3D technologies, materials testing and prototype development.
3D printing and additive manufacturing capacity
- prototype production based on additive manufacturing processe
- support for workflows based on 3D printing technologies for research and development purposes
- rapid, small-batch production of bespoke components
- the development of demonstrators for medical and bioengineering applications
- reverse-engineering
Materials Testing Laboratory
- mechanical testing of samples produced by additive manufacturing
- analysis of material behaviour characteristics for research purposes
- support for structural and load tests
- ensuring the measurement feedback required for development iterations
Background to prototype development
- design and manufacture of bespoke mechanical systems
- development of experimental equipment and demonstration systems
- the construction of mechanical structures for research purposes
Integration of research and development
- technical implementation of biomedical and clinical research requirements
- support for interdisciplinary (medical–engineering) development projects
- prototype → validation → iteration-based development cycles
- applied research and technological validation in a university setting