OC & CADdent use Lithoz AM to scale ceramic earmoulds
Swiss manufacturer OC (Otoplastisches Centrum) GmbH and CADdent, based in Augsburg, Germany, have partnered to additively manufacture patient-specific ATZ (alumina-toughened zirconia) earmoulds using the CeraFab S65 ceramic Additive Manufacturing machine from Lithoz, Vienna, Austria.
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Using Lithoz’s lithography-based ceramics manufacturing (LCM) technology, CADdent produces its earmoulds with wall thicknesses below 1 mm and dimensional tolerances of less than ±50 µm while maintaining the delicate inner channels necessary for optimal sound transmission. The parts were able to be manufactured without support structures while enabling structural stability, even in fragile geometries. The scalability of the process for small-batch industrial production is demonstrated by the fact that up to fifteen earmoulds can be produced per build platform.
“These technical achievements demonstrate the distinct advantages that ceramics offer for otoplastics,” stated Jurij Belik, CEO of OC GmbH. “Unlike polymers or titanium, ceramic earmoulds offer long-term biocompatibility alongside superior durability and wear resistance. ATZ’s acoustic neutrality ensures uncompromised sound quality, and the material’s aesthetic properties allow for customisable, high-value designs.”
According to the companies, this production combines the highest acoustic precision enabled by ATZ, the best hygienic behaviour provided by biocompatible ceramics in general, individually optimised wearing comfort enabled by Design for Additive Manufacturing and economically viable production at an industrial scale allowed by the use of Lithoz’s AM machine.
“It signals a new era for patient-specific ceramic Additive Manufacturing in audiology and far beyond,” Lithoz stated in a press release. “It also gives evidence of CeraFab printers offering an accessible entry point for SMEs aiming to innovate their products even in strongly regulated markets.”
Lithoz will display these patient-specific ceramic otoplastics from Hall 11.1, C35 booth at Formnext, scheduled to take place November 18-21, 2025.
