A global supplier of medical products breaks ground on an additive manufacturing plant in Indiana

3D-printed metal parts from Paragon Medical.

Paragon Medical broke ground in September on a new facility dedicated to additive manufacturing. The 34,000-sq.-ft. AM center will be located on the campus of the company’s headquarters in Pierceton, Ind., and is scheduled to be fully operational by late 2022.

The new AM facility will be supported by an initial investment of $16 million, with an additional anticipated investment of $19 million over the next five years. The investment, which encompasses the facility, printers, and inspection and support equipment, will let Paragon vertically integrate its AM process chain, from powder to finished goods.

The facility’s initial focus will be on printing porous titanium implants and, shortly thereafter, expand into other metals and polymers and medical device applications.

“Additive manufacturing is integral to the future of medical manufacturing,” said Simon Newman, CEO of Paragon Medical’s parent company, MW Industries. “This new facility will allow us to provide industry-leading technology and processes for metal additive manufacturing. We’ll be able to produce lighter, more-complex medical parts faster, helping our customers provide solutions that advance the entire health care industry.”

AM technology and processes will be provided through 3D printer builder and services provider 3D Systems.

In late September, ground was broken on Paragon’s new additive manufacturing facility. It is scheduled to be fully operational at the end of 2022.