Printing of hybrid magneto active polymers with 6 degrees of freedom

Abstract

3D printing techniques offer a versatile method for the fabrication and structuring of magnetoactive polymer (MAP) components and devices for research prototype development. MAP materials enjoy an advantage in that the particulate content may be manipulated by external magnetic fields during the forming and curing processes. Controlled particle diffusion within the polymer matrix, by means of external fields applied during the printing process, influences a further three spatial dimensions. This permits control of the spatial particle concentration and makes free displacement of particle accumulations possible during the crosslinking phase. Particles which are susceptible to electric or magnetic fields can thereby be shifted into regions previously free of particles. The additional 3 graded dispersion axes effectively results in what can be described as 6 degrees of freedom (6DOF) printing.Electrically conductive polymers combined with non-conductive areas, provide an additional benefit for the production of complex hybrid structures. This may be augmented by the combination of magnetically active thermoplastics as inelastic structural components together with mechanically deformable elastomers.The combination of all fabrication methods in one hybrid printing process makes the production of complex sensor and actuator systems in one manufacturing sequence possible. This far exceeds the capabilities of conventional casting and machining operations and opens new possibilities for the fabrication of soft material elements.