14 DAY TRIAL // We've seen a whole bunch of medical applications of 3D printing technology, from prosthetics to 3D printed implants. Unfortunately, not every country in the world can gain access to the advancements.
One country barred from the cream of the crop is Iran. There are certain US sanctions that continuously prevent the best technology from being shipped past the borders.
Metal 3D printers were specifically prevented from reaching the country, according to Mohammad Javad Karimi, the Chairman of the 3D printing division at Iran’s Pardis Technology Park.
So, because it does not have much recourse, the country is looking into creating its own medical 3D printing applications.
First off, researchers will have to develop their own 3D printers good enough for medical prototypes. The ETA has been set for the end of the year. The country is lucky that the Iranian Nokhbeh Mehvar Fars Company will produce raw materials for prosthetics at a sixth of the price that would be demanded if they were imported instead.
To be fair, most of the countries of the Middle East are on USA's “black list” when it comes to shipping 3D printers, except the United Arab Emirates and Israel, so Iran isn't alone in being sidelined. The marvels of politics I suppose.
Now we can only wait and see what happens. Given Karimi's stance and the decisive statements in this matter, we might actually be in for a flummoxing explosion of 3D printing innovation. It's not like anyone made a big secret of how 3D printing technology works after all.
