Researchers from MIT, the MIT spinout Inkbit, and ETH Zurich have developed a new 3D inkjet printing system that uses computer vision to adjust the amount of resin each nozzle deposits in real-time. This contactless system allows for the use of materials that cure more slowly than traditional acrylates, enabling the fabrication of complex devices that combine soft and rigid materials. The system is also much faster than comparable 3D inkjet printers.
Revolutionary 3D Inkjet Printing System Enhances Material Range and Speed
A team of researchers from MIT, Inkbit, and ETH Zurich have developed a groundbreaking 3D inkjet printing system that can work with a wider range of materials and significantly increase printing speed.
The new printer utilizes computer vision technology to scan the 3D printing surface and adjust the amount of resin deposited by each nozzle. This ensures that each area receives the correct amount of material, expanding the range of materials that can be used with the printer.
Unlike traditional 3D printing systems, this contactless printer doesn’t require mechanical parts to smooth the resin, making it compatible with materials that cure more slowly. These slower-curing materials can offer improved performance, such as increased elasticity, durability, and longevity.
Moreover, the printer’s automatic adjustments are made in real-time without stopping or slowing down the printing process, making it approximately 660 times faster than comparable inkjet printers.
The researchers have used this printer to create complex robotic devices that combine soft and rigid materials. For example, they have successfully printed a robotic gripper shaped like a human hand, which is controlled by a set of reinforced yet flexible tendons.
This system offers precise control over the printing process, allowing for the use of wax as a support material to create cavities and intricate networks of channels inside printed objects. The wax is melted and drained out after printing, leaving open channels throughout the final object.
The printer’s compatibility with slower-curing materials, such as thiol-based resins, opens up possibilities for fabricating robots and systems that interact with the real world. These materials offer enhanced elasticity, stability across temperatures, and resistance to degradation.
The researchers envision a wide range of applications for this technology. They are exploring the use of hydrogels for tissue engineering, as well as silicon materials, epoxies, and durable polymers. They also plan to print customizable medical devices, semiconductor polishing pads, and more complex robots.
This research is funded by Credit Suisse, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the U.S. National Science Foundation.
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