Interview: Rafael Vidal Peres, Founder of Aditiv and RealDent

Rafael Vidal Peres PhD and master in biomaterials by the Military Engineering Institute (IME); Specialist in Temporomandibular Dysfunction and Orofacial Pain and specialist in Orthodontics. Experience in the area of ​​orofacial rehabilitation with emphasis on biomaterials, 3D printing and applied three-dimensional modeling. Founder of Aditiv that provides services in the area of ​​3D printing and three-dimensional biomedical modeling; Founder of RealDent specializes in 3D printing of realistic replicas of teeth for training; Researches in the area of ​​materials for 3D printing in partnership with companies such as PROTMAT, BRASKEM and 3DLAB. He is also one of the speakers on the upcoming event in São Paulo, Brazil on April 17, 2019. For more information of the event you can check this link.

Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing?

Rafael:

2012.

Jenny: What was that experience like?

Rafael:

“This is the future”.

Jenny: What were you thinking at that moment?

Rafael: Treat my patients with my computer using CAD CAM.

Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey in 3D printing?

Rafael: Do things better and faster with amazing tools.

Jenny: Who inspired you the most along this journey in 3D printing ?

Rafael: Professional 3D artists and high level programmers.

Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?

Rafael: Automate my work flow more and more and I belive that patients deserve to know that there are amazing tools that can improve their treatment.

Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?

Rafael: There wasn’t biocompatible materials to work with FFF 3D printers. I created my own and found a partner to help with regulation process.

Jenny: What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?

Rafael: Customer development and regulatory agencies.

Jenny: If you are granted three wishes by a higher being, what would they be?  

Rafael: Education for people and something good to my family and friends.

Jenny: What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advices you heard should they ignore?

Rafael: Think about something that people will need in 10 years and try to help them today. If you make small progress, but continually, just ignore people that tell you that it will not work.

Jenny: If you could have a giant billboard to promote a message to millions and even billions of people in our community (i.e. healthcare 3D printing and bio-fabrication), what message would that be?

Rafael: Go digital and you will never come back.

Jenny: What were/was the best investment you made in 3D printing/bio-printing?

Rafael: Design my own printer.

Jenny: What were/was the worst investment you made in 3D printing/bio-printing/bio-Fabrication?

Rafael: Low cost DLP 3D printer.

Jenny: What was/is the biggest risk you took in your career?

Rafael: Make bioreabsorbable filament with big two screw extruder with 1kg of a very expensive pellets  (PhD thesis).

Jenny: What do you enjoy in your spare time? What are you passionate about outside of your work/3d printing?

Rafael: Surf.

Jenny: What is your favorite quote? Why?

Rafael: Done is better than perfect.

Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you?

Rafael: Help people with 3D tools.