(Photo: MAMBO, world's 1st 3D printed fiberglass boat by Moi Composites)

From there to here
How does an Italian 3D printing technology startup embark on a journey to launch a dental 3D printing service, in what was the middle of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic? With great courage, a lot of patience and groundwork demonstrators like this one-of-a-kind working vessel.

It was autumn of 2020 in Genova and Salone Nautico was among the first to reopen its trade show after lockdowns were lifted. MAMBO, the world’s first 6.5 meter 3D printed fiberglass boat, took sail on the Mediterranean sea. With wavy shapes inspired by the water’s organic waves and striking BMW snapper rocks blue color, MAMBO was showcased on Forbes, presented at Cluster Yachting Monaco, and floated alongside other majestic yachts of Fincantieri, San Lorenzo, Oceano, and Azimut to name a few.

MAMBO demonstrated to spectators the power of CFM 3D printing technology developed by Moi Composites (Moi) - a technology that 3D prints real, functional objects of any shape or size using high-performance, lightweight material and digital design. Moi made impossible shapes possible, an example of moldless, large-scale 3D printing in continuous fiber thermoset composites. However, as Moi’s core team prepared MAMBO’s debut with partners Autodesk, Catmarine, Confindustria Nautica, Mercury, Micad, Osculati, Owens Corning and Tappezzeria Nautica Rizzo, another part of their team worked in parallel to launch Moi Dental, a subsidiary and division of Moi that would be sole producer of the new all-in-one dental reinforcements named Hi-Fiber.

(Photo: Cofounder Gabriele Natale and dental technician Gianluca Brandolini demonstrating strength of Hi-Fiber reinforced denture prosthesis during clinical test 1 phase)

No Limits

Moi’s cofounder, a native of Salento with a passion for fishing and boating did not limit the vision and reach of CFM’s applications to marine, or that of composites material manufacturing. He saw an opportunity to serve the oral healthcare sector with a high quality product and fast, easy process. Hi-Fiber was the perfect product-market-fit when CFM technology was discovered by two dental professionals. They understood that 3D printing continuous fiber composites was the key to better, faster, and more convenient dental reinforcements than analog or milling yielded.

A dynamic duo dental technician Gianluca Brandolini and dentist Dr. Andrea Nicali with luck heard a podcast on Radio 24 of Professor Marinella Levi, Politecnico di Milano University, speaking about a breakthrough technology capable of 3D printing continuous glass fiber thermoset composites material. This ‘Eureka’ was how Hi-Fiber was developed. The dental professionals had already been working on a digital protocol for fixed prostheses that would offer dentists “one prosthesis one time", but were missing one component which was still made manually, the dental substructure. Together, the team met with Prof. Levi and researchers to test ways to 3D print their dream product. Dr. Nicali coined the name Hi-Fiber, short for high-performance fiber. They discovered Hi-Fiber not only satisfied their wishlist for both product material and process, but also surpassed the list, adding new benefits they only dreamed of. Delighted with the outcomes in aesthetics, reliability and efficiency, the team began work on laying the foundation for expanding Hi-Fiber’s utilization.

The launch of Hi-Fiber by Moi Dental was a careful, calculated entrepreneurial plan that stewed like a great pot of ragu, slow and steady to build robustness and legitimacy in their newly-minted brand. For starters, the idea of 3D printing Hi-Fiber underwent a feasibility study funded by the EU Horizon 2020 SME Phase 1 program. The program award had an 8.6% success rate. In addition, Hi-Fiber went through several clinical test phases. The team collected market feedback and conducted research and development since 2017 before launching on the market. Moreover, the team prioritized and obtained ISO certification, validated material certifications from its suppliers, and ensured a quality management system was in place for Hi-Fiber production.

(Photo: Odt. Gianluca Brandolini facilitating a training course at Malo Clinic, Portugal)

The Journey Forward

Hi-Fiber’s story demonstrates 3D printing application validation, resilience, and value. The success of not giving up and overcoming challenges despite market volatility, changes, and growing competition aided in new, modern dentistry and digital progress. Early adopters and dental experts saw advantages and potential for Hi-Fiber to be used in their work to create the best smiles and dentures. It improved patient and practitioner experiences.

Hi-Fiber continues to collaborate with key opinion leaders such as Malo Clinic, pioneer of the All-on-Four Treatment concept, to conduct and document clinical research and share their experience and outcomes. The voyage towards better tools and processes for dental professionals and ultimately better patient care is only getting started! Contact us to join our voyage info@hi-fiber.it