Abstract
In this work we bring together replicating rapid prototyping technology with electrohydrodynamic phenomena to develop a device with the ability to build structures in three-dimensions while simultaneously affording the user a degree of designing versatility and ease that is not seen in conventional computer numerically controlled machines. An attempt at reproducing an actual human ear using polycaprolactone was pursued to validate the hardware. Five different polycaprolactone solution concentrations between 7–15 wt% were used and printing was performed at applied voltages that ranged from 1 to 6 kV and at flow rates from 5µl/min to 60µl/min. The corresponding geometrical and aesthetic features of the printed constructs were studied to determine the effectiveness of the device. The 15 wt% concentration at 60µl/min under an applied electric field of 6 kV was identified as the best operating parameters to work with.
Highlights
A surge in demand for high throughput in the design and manufacture of complicated parts in a highly precise manner has paved the way for the development of advanced machinery that facilitates precision, control and consistency in production of these components
PCL pellets and DMC were placed in a glass bottle along with a magnetic stirrer and the solutions were magnetically stirred at ambient temperature of 25uC for three hours, which was needed for complete dissolution
The system validation for this machine involves the fabrication of a human ear (Figure 7)
Summary
A surge in demand for high throughput in the design and manufacture of complicated parts in a highly precise manner has paved the way for the development of advanced machinery that facilitates precision, control and consistency in production of these components. The technology embodies itself in many competing ways, namely SLS (selective laser sintering) [1], FDM (fused deposition modelling) [1,2], 3DP (three-dimensional printing) [1,2,3], LOM (laminated object manufacturing) and stereolithography apparatus (SLA) [2]. Despite these processes having the ability to produce 3D structures, they lack consistency and accurate reproducibility. Techniques like LOM and SLA require additional preparation steps before the product is finished. These additional steps increase the complexity and the cost of fabrication
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