3DMed aimed to improve affordability and large-scale accessibility of medical treatment using 3D printed devices. This was to be achieved by increasing the technological readiness level (TRL) of state-of-the-art 3D printing technologies for medical applications and integrating them into a streamlined, fast and cost-effective software platform for use in routine clinical practice.
The project had three main objectives. The first concerned streamlining and integrating various steps in the 3D manufacturing process and data flows. The second looked at technological developments, more specifically advancing the TRL of metallic, composite and polymeric 3D printed medical devices. The third objective concerned the validation of the technology, thus being able to demonstrate the superior performance of the 3D printed devices and to demonstrate the clinical benefits. This would have further substantial benefits for healthcare providers and related firms, such as lower production & treatment costs, and increased succeed rates of medical treatment

The integration of the currently fragmented expertise, technologies and methodologies for 3D printing (3DP) in medical applications required the joint effort of 'best-in-class' partners and collaborative work across disciplines and borders: Technische Universiteit Delft (TUD) is a global leader in the field of steerable medical devices; the involved research groups at University Gent (UG) are leaders in the field of virtual optimisation and that of biomaterials for 3D-printing, respectively; ARMINES is well equipped with expertise on 3D-printing of composites; ULille has top expertise in designing drug release systems and Uox on bioresorbable materials; MTL delivers preoperative planning solutions, with the unique potential to link with postoperative evaluation; DORC is market leader in ophthalmic surgical instruments. The partnership also included innovative companies (AmI, EXO-L, V!go, 3DLP, OxMestar, Oceanz), as well as clinical observers and clusters throughout the 2 Seas area, to catalyse the transfer of results to a critical mass of users.

Following the end of the project, the partnership expressed the added-value of the cross-border aspect. While each of the partners had certain expertise and laboratory facilities and equipment, none of these partners would have been able to undertake the scope of the 3Dmed project by themselves. The project brought 17 project partners and 14 observer partners from the four countries together and gathered the expertise, manpower and equipment to make concerted efforts. It would not have been possible to reach the objectives and complete all the 5 outputs without the partnership from the four countries.