Mask image grayscale regulation for projection stereolithography in tissue engineering

Abstract

The mask-image-projection-based stereolithography (MIP-SL) is one of the most promising methods for preparing biological scaffolds. In this paper, a mask image planning method based on grayscale regulation is proposed based on the characteristics of the bio-scaffold structure. It is based on support vector machine method and iterative method to intelligently regulate mask pixel gray value, which can achieve low exposure error and accordingly better curing quality. Furthermore, in order to discuss the properties of grayscale regulation, single pixel light intensity function acquisition experiment and stereolithography simulation based on light intensity function and mask grayscale regulation experiment were carried out. Results show that the light intensity distribution function of single pixel follows Gaussian distribution, and the light intensity energy between adjacent pixels will affect each other. The grayscale regulation scheme can improve the degree of reduction of the cured shape of the resin and is beneficial to the curing accuracy.