3D Printing and Medical Innovation: An Interview with MadeInAdd guest on Terzo Millennio

Interview with Andrea Boscolo, CPO of MadeInAdd, guest on TerzoMillennio Salute

English Interview Transcript

Editor:
Mr. Boscolo, you are an aerospace engineer, graduated from Politecnico di Torino. Your career began in the aerospace sector and later continued in the automotive industry, where you worked with major companies and gained international experience. It was during this journey that you began to explore the world of Additive Manufacturing, a field in which you later specialized.
Can you explain what it is and how this technological progress connects with medical and scientific topics?

Andrea Boscolo:
Of course. Additive Manufacturing, or AM, might sound like a complex and technical term, but it essentially refers to industrial 3D printing. While this technology is now widespread even in domestic contexts, it has had a revolutionary impact in the industrial world.

3D printing has entered various markets — from aerospace, which is my first love, all the way to the medical field — because it is a truly disruptive technology. It dramatically reduces production time and costs while allowing fast, customized design tailored to the specific needs of each sector.

In healthcare — one of the earliest adopters of this technology — the applications are many. We’re talking about prosthetics, both internal and external, and clinical tools such as dental bite guards. Just think about when you go to the dentist: nowadays, after a 3D scan of your dental arch, the bite is 3D printed using biocompatible resins or even advanced metals like titanium, which have become much more accessible thanks to 3D printing.

Editor:
So 3D printing allows for rapid and customized production in the medical field. What are the main benefits for patients?

Andrea Boscolo:
One of the key concepts is mass customization. This technology makes it possible to design every component to measure. In healthcare, this means creating devices that are perfectly adapted to the patient’s anatomy.
Just imagine retirement homes or hospitals, where clinical equipment can be repaired or replaced quickly, or where custom parts can be created for very specific needs — improving ergonomics, comfort, and recovery times.

We’re also advancing toward more complex solutions, such as implantable prostheses — for example, hip or joint implants — designed specifically to match each patient’s anatomical structure. It’s what we call “tailor-made” manufacturing: what was once an artisanal process can now be engineered, measured, and customized one-to-one.

Editor:
An approach that fits perfectly with Italy’s manufacturing tradition. In addition to prosthetics and clinical devices, are you focusing on other areas?

Andrea Boscolo:
Yes, we’ve developed tools such as custom probes used to monitor blood parameters during surgery and in other settings.
We’re also active in the field of medical and academic training, producing realistic mock-ups of internal body parts for simulations and clinical education. These highly detailed models are essential in preparing the next generation of doctors with hands-on experience.

Editor:
Thank you, Mr. Boscolo, for this valuable contribution. Could there be future applications in more specific pathological areas?

Andrea Boscolo:
We’re already working on it. We’ve started to explore more complex correlations and use cases. There’s still a lot to be done — and we’re just getting started.

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