Multiphoton Polymerization Using Femtosecond Bessel Beam for Layerless Three-Dimensional Printing

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoming Yu ◽  
Meng Zhang ◽  
Shuting Lei

Photopolymerization enables the printing of three-dimensional (3D) objects through successively solidifying liquid photopolymer on two-dimensional (2D) planes. However, such layer-by-layer process significantly limits printing speed, because a large number of layers need to be processed in sequence. In this paper, we propose a novel 3D printing method based on multiphoton polymerization using femtosecond Bessel beam. This method eliminates the need for layer-by-layer processing, and therefore dramatically increases printing speed for structures with high aspect ratios, such as wires and tubes. By using unmodulated Bessel beam, a stationary laser exposure creates a wire with average diameter of 100 μm and length exceeding 10 mm, resulting in an aspect ratio > 100:1. Scanning this beam on the lateral plane fabricates a hollow tube within a few seconds, more than ten times faster than using the layer-by-layer method. Next, we modulate the Bessel beam with a spatial light modulator (SLM) and generate multiple beam segments along the laser propagation direction. Experimentally observed beam pattern agrees with optics diffraction calculation. This 3D printing method can be further explored for fabricating complex structures and has the potential to dramatically increase 3D printing speed while maintaining high resolution.

Author(s):  
Xiaoming Yu ◽  
Meng Zhang ◽  
Shuting Lei

Stereolithography of three-dimensional, arbitrarily-shaped objects is achieved by successively curing photopolymer on multiple 2D planes and then stacking these 2D slices into 3D objects. Often as a bottleneck for speeding up the fabrication process, this layer-by-layer approach originates from the lack of axial control of photopolymerization. In this paper, we present a novel stereolithography technology with which two-photon polymerization can be dynamically controlled in the axial direction using Bessel beam generated from a spatial light modulator (SLM) and an axicon. First, we use unmodulated Bessel beam to fabricate micro-wires with an average diameter of 100 μm and a length exceeding 10 mm, resulting in an aspect ratio > 100:1. A study on the polymerization process shows that a fabrication speed of 2 mm/s can be achieved. Defect and deformation are observed, and the micro-wires consist of multiple narrow fibers which indicate the existence of the self-writing effect. A test case is presented to demonstrate fast 3D printing of a hollow tube within one second. Next, we modulate the Bessel beam with an SLM and demonstrate the simultaneous generation of multiple focal spots along the laser propagation direction. These spots can be dynamically controlled by loading an image sequence on the SLM. The theoretical foundation of this technology is outlined, and computer simulation is conducted to verify the experimental results. The presented technology extends current stereolithography into the third dimension, and has the potential to significantly increase 3D printing speed.


Photonics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 286
Author(s):  
Chung-Fei Lee ◽  
Wei-Feng Hsu ◽  
Tzu-Hsuan Yang ◽  
Ren-Jei Chung

Photocurable three-dimensional (3D) printing is a stepwise layer-by-layer fabrication process widely used in the manufacture of highly specialized objects. Current 3D printing techniques are easily implemented; however, the build rate is slow and the surface quality is less than ideal. Holographic 3D display (3DHD) technology makes it possible to reform planar wavefronts into a 3D intensity distribution, which appears as a 3D image in space. This paper examined the application of holographic imaging technology to 3D printing based on photocurable polymers. The proposed system uses a 3DHD diffractive optics system based on a liquid-crystal-on-silicon spatial light modulator (LCoS-SLM), wherein a 3D layered image is created in the optical near field, based on a computer-generated hologram (CGH) optimized using the iterative angular spectrum algorithm (IASA) and a circular IASA. From a single CGH, multiple 2D sliced images are created in space to form a 3D optical image used to initiate the photopolymerization of photocurable resin to form 3D objects. In experiments, the proposed 3D printing system was used to create five polymer objects with a maximum axial length of 25 mm and minimum feature width of 149 μm. The phase-only CGH reformed the incident light into a distribution of optical intensity with high diffraction efficiency suitable for photocuring. Despite limitations pertaining to fabrication area and axial complexity in this initial study, the proposed method demonstrated high light efficiency, high resolution in the lateral direction, rapid fabrication, and good object continuity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy E. Alexander ◽  
Nicole Wake ◽  
Leonid Chepelev ◽  
Philipp Brantner ◽  
Justin Ryan ◽  
...  

AbstractFirst patented in 1986, three-dimensional (3D) printing, also known as additive manufacturing or rapid prototyping, now encompasses a variety of distinct technology types where material is deposited, joined, or solidified layer by layer to create a physical object from a digital file. As 3D printing technologies continue to evolve, and as more manuscripts describing these technologies are published in the medical literature, it is imperative that standardized terminology for 3D printing is utilized. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide recommendations for standardized lexicons for 3D printing technologies described in the medical literature. For all 3D printing methods, standard general ISO/ASTM terms for 3D printing should be utilized. Additional, non-standard terms should be included to facilitate communication and reproducibility when the ISO/ASTM terms are insufficient in describing expository details. By aligning to these guidelines, the use of uniform terms for 3D printing and the associated technologies will lead to improved clarity and reproducibility of published work which will ultimately increase the impact of publications, facilitate quality improvement, and promote the dissemination and adoption of 3D printing in the medical community.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-69
Author(s):  
Amirhosein Fathi ◽  
Farzad Kermani ◽  
Aliasghar Behnamghader ◽  
Sara Banijamali ◽  
Masoud Mozafari ◽  
...  

AbstractOver the last years, three-dimensional (3D) printing has been successfully applied to produce suitable substitutes for treating bone defects. In this work, 3D printed composite scaffolds of polycaprolactone (PCL) and strontium (Sr)- and cobalt (Co)-doped multi-component melt-derived bioactive glasses (BGs) were prepared for bone tissue engineering strategies. For this purpose, 30% of as-prepared BG particles (size <38 μm) were incorporated into PCL, and then the obtained composite mix was introduced into a 3D printing machine to fabricate layer-by-layer porous structures with the size of 12 × 12 × 2 mm3.The scaffolds were fully characterized through a series of physico-chemical and biological assays. Adding the BGs to PCL led to an improvement in the compressive strength of the fabricated scaffolds and increased their hydrophilicity. Furthermore, the PCL/BG scaffolds showed apatite-forming ability (i.e., bioactivity behavior) after being immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF). The in vitro cellular examinations revealed the cytocompatibility of the scaffolds and confirmed them as suitable substrates for the adhesion and proliferation of MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. In conclusion, 3D printed composite scaffolds made of PCL and Sr- and Co-doped BGs might be potentially-beneficial bone replacements, and the achieved results motivate further research on these materials.


Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 866
Author(s):  
A. R. Damanpack ◽  
André Sousa ◽  
M. Bodaghi

This paper shows how fused decomposition modeling (FDM), as a three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, can engineer lightweight porous foams with controllable density. The tactic is based on the 3D printing of Poly Lactic Acid filaments with a chemical blowing agent, as well as experiments to explore how FDM parameters can control material density. Foam porosity is investigated in terms of fabrication parameters such as printing temperature and flow rate, which affect the size of bubbles produced during the layer-by-layer fabrication process. It is experimentally shown that printing temperature and flow rate have significant effects on the bubbles’ size, micro-scale material connections, stiffness and strength. An analytical equation is introduced to accurately simulate the experimental results on flow rate, density, and mechanical properties in terms of printing temperature. Due to the absence of a similar concept, mathematical model and results in the specialized literature, this paper is likely to advance the state-of-the-art lightweight foams with controllable porosity and density fabricated by FDM 3D printing technology.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yangwei Wang ◽  
Peilun Lv ◽  
Jian Li ◽  
Liying Yu ◽  
Guodong Yuan ◽  
...  

Purpose This paper aims to propose a suitable atomizing solidification chitosan (CS) gel liquid extrusion molding technology for the three dimensional (3D) printing method, and experiments verify the feasibility of this method. Design/methodology/approach This paper mainly uses experimental means, combined with theoretical research. The preparation method, solidification forming method and 3D printing method of CS gel solution were studied. The CS gel printing mechanism and printing error sources are analyzed on the basis of the CS gel ink printing results, printing performance with different ratios of components by constructing a gel print prototype, experiments evaluating the CS gel printing technology and the effects of the process parameters on the scaffold formation. Findings CS printing ink was prepared; the optimal formula was found; the 3 D printing experiment of CS was completed; the optimal printing parameters were obtained; and the reliability of the forming prototype, printing ink and gel printing process was verified, which allowed for the possibility to apply the 3 D printing technology to the manufacturing of a CS gel structure. Originality/value This study can provide theoretical and technical support for the potential application of CS 3 D printed gels in tissue engineering.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Coppola ◽  
Giuseppe Nasti ◽  
Veronica Vespini ◽  
Pietro Ferraro

Nowadays it is easy to imagine that the exploitation of different additive manufacturing approaches could find use in regenerative medicine and frontiers nanotechnology with a strong interest in the development of in vivo bio-incubators that better replicate the tissue environment. Various electrospinning technologies have been exploited for the fabrication of composite polymeric architectures, where fibers have been used for the construction layer by layer of micro-architectures. Unfortunately, in case of processing biomaterials, the intrinsic factors of the materials could become obstacles when considering such advanced engineering methods. Here, for the first time, we use the pyro-EHD process for the fabrication of layered three-dimensional architectures made using a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer. The proposed approach for layered 3D printing works at mild temperature allowing deposition at high resolution and great flexibility in manufacturing, avoiding high voltage generators, and nozzles. The layered 3D printing, activated by the pyro-electric effect, is discussed and characterized in terms of geometrical features and processing parameters. Different geometries and micro-architecture (wall, square, triangle, and hybrid structures) have been demonstrated and over printing of composite polymer, obtained by mixing multiwall carbon nanotubes and fluorochrome, has been discussed, focusing on the use of a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer.


2005 ◽  
Vol 492-493 ◽  
pp. 679-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Godlinski ◽  
Stéphane Morvan

It is difficult to generate any user-defined three dimensional gradient to tailor the functional properties of a component. Problems are not only the lack of local material design tools, but also a suitable manufacturing process. The implementation of the concept of local composition control into the Solid Freeform Fabrication (SFF) process 3D-Printing is described, which leads to geometrical complex parts out of tailored materials. Suspensions of different functional inks containing a binder and carbon black nano-particles are dispensed into droplets through multiple jets – like inkjet printing a halftone image on a paper – but into a metal powder bed to generate layer by layer graded green parts. In this case the tailored preforms are then sintered, while the nano-particle additions from the functional ink act locally as alloying elements in the steel matrix to combine e.g. both, toughness and hardness in the part. This work concentrates on the realisation of the new process and shows first results taking the generation of carbon-graded steel parts as an example.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Šljivić ◽  
Dragoljub Mirjanić ◽  
Nataša Šljivić ◽  
Cristiano Fragassa ◽  
Ana Pavlović

The Additive manufacturing 3D printing is a process of creating a three dimensional solid objects or rapid prototyping of 3D models from a digital file, which builds layer by layer. The 3D bioprinting is a form sophisticated of 3D printing technology involving cells and tissues for the production of tissue for regenerative medicine, which is also built layer by layer into the area of human tissue or organ. This paper defines the modern methods and materials of the AM, which are used for the development of physical models and individually adjusted implants for 3D printing for medical purposes. The main classification of 3D printing and 3D bioprinting technologies are also defined by typical materials and a field of application. It is proven that 3D printing and 3D bioprinting techniques have a huge potential and a possibility to revolutionize the field of medicine.


Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 2456
Author(s):  
Demei Lee ◽  
Guan-Yu Wu

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a manufacturing technology which creates three-dimensional objects layer-by-layer or drop-by-drop with minimal material waste. Despite the fact that 3D printing is a versatile and adaptable process and has advantages in establishing complex and net-shaped structures over conventional manufacturing methods, the challenge remains in identifying the optimal parameters for the 3D printing process. This study investigated the influence of processing parameters on the mechanical properties of Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)-printed carbon fiber-filled polylactide (CFR-PLA) composites by employing an orthogonal array model. After printing, the tensile and impact strengths of the printed composites were measured, and the effects of different parameters on these strengths were examined. The experimental results indicate that 3D-printed CFR-PLA showed a rougher surface morphology than virgin PLA. For the variables selected in this analysis, bed temperature was identified as the most influential parameter on the tensile strength of CFR-PLA-printed parts, while bed temperature and print orientation were the key parameters affecting the impact strengths of printed composites. The 45° orientation printed parts also showed superior mechanical strengths than the 90° printed parts.


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