Netherlands-based life sciences lab equipment manufacturer AFYS3G has integrated 3D printer manufacturer BigRep‘s large-format 3D printing to enhance flexibility and reduce production costs.
The company specializes in tools that handle and track biological samples, such as devices for labeling labware, scanning barcodes, thawing specimens, and mixing or heating samples. According to Harry Epping, Manufacturing Process Engineer at AFYS3G, AM provided a practical alternative to traditional production.
“We needed a large-format 3D printer to create housings for equipment. We didn’t want to invest in large amounts of tooling like die casting, injection molding, or vacuum molding. So we thought 3D printing would be a good alternative.”
Leveraging the BigRep STUDIO for End-Use Production
AFYS3G selected the BigRep STUDIO for its combination of large build capacity, safety features, and reliable part quality. Its 1000 x 500 x 500 mm build volume allows the production of full-size housings without requiring extensive floor space. The printer’s closed build envelope and BOFA air filtration system ensure safe operation and compliance with health standards through the use of HEPA filters that purify the air before release.
Using BigRep’s HI-TEMP filament, AFYS3G manufactures strong, dimensionally stable parts with minimal warping that, after sanding, filling, and painting, are comparable to injection-molded or die-cast components. With BigRep CONNECT, engineers can remotely monitor print progress, access analytics, and improve workflows. The resulting productivity gains led the company to acquire a second BigRep STUDIO to meet increasing demand and reduce bottlenecks caused by long print cycles.
Each 3D printed component undergoes a trial assembly to ensure precision before post-processing. For example, AFYS3G’s Labware Marking System housing is fully 3D printed and verified for correct alignment and fit before finishing. External surfaces receive tailored finishes—from matte coatings to high-gloss treatments—while internal components are reinforced and minimally processed with inserts added for mechanical stability. This method balances function, aesthetics, and production efficiency and produces housings nearly indistinguishable from those made through injection molding, die casting, or vacuum forming.
By integrating 3D printing, AFYS3G has reduced lead times from months to weeks, minimized tooling expenses, and gained the ability to rapidly prototype and iterate designs. The 3D printed parts also achieve the desired strength-to-weight ratio. “We use 3D printing for almost everything. If there is a possibility to 3D print parts, we will always take the opportunity,” said Epping.
Advancing Research and Manufacturing Through 3D Printing
Across the life sciences and academic sectors, institutions are increasingly adopting 3D printing to improve flexibility, reduce costs, and accelerate research and development.
In October, Florida International University (FIU) acquired a WarpSPEE3D metal 3D printer from Australian metal 3D printer manufacturer SPEE3D. The machine will serve as a centerpiece at FIU’s Cold Spray and Rapid Deposition (ColRAD) Laboratory, located within the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at the College of Engineering and Computing (EC) campus. The acquisition strengthens FIU’s capabilities in cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM) and supports its goal of advancing research in large-scale metallic and composite materials.
In 2024, the University of Birmingham acquired Prima Additive’s Print Genius 150 Double Wavelength (DW) metal 3D printer. This printer is being used for the research of novel materials, encompassing functionally graded materials, refractory metals, precious materials, and copper and its alloys.
Through a Strategic Equipment Grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the university secured funding to acquire this system. This system was deployed at the university’s Advanced Materials & Processing Laboratory (AMPLab), situated within the School of Metallurgy and Materials. Functioning as a national facility, the system is now accessible to researchers from both academia and industry across the UK.
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Featured image shows Harry Epping, Manufacturing Process Engineer at AFYS3G, with a post-processed 3D printed lab equipment housing. Photo via BigRep.
