KIT Scientists Develop New 3D System to Print Structures of Submicrometer Accuracy at Record Speed
3D printers working in the millimeter range and larger are increasingly used in industrial production processes. Many applications, however, require precise printing on the micrometer scale at a far higher speed. Researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now developed a system to print highly precise, centimeter-sized objects with submicrometer details at a so far unmatched speed. This system is presented in a special issue of Advanced Functional Materials (DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201907795).
To demonstrate not only the speed, but also the reliability of their setup, the researchers have printed a lattice structure of 60 cubic millimeters in size with details down to the micrometer scale. It contains more than 300 billion voxels (a voxel is the 3D counterpart of a pixel or 2D picture element). “We have by far outperformed the record reached by 3D-printed aircraft wings. This is a new world record,” says Professor Martin Wegener, Spokesperson of the Cluster of Excellence “3D Matter Made to Order” (3DMM2O), within which the system was developed.
For this type of 3D printing, the beam of a laser passes a liquid photoresist in a computer-controlled manner. The material located in the focus of the laser only is exposed and hardened. “The focal points correspond to the nozzles of an inkjet printer, the only difference being that they work three-dimensionally,” Vincent Hahn, first author of the publication, says. In this way, highly precise filigree structures can be produced for various applications, such as optics and photonics, material sciences, bioengineering, or safety engineering.
Typically, several hundred thousands of voxels per second have been produced with a single laser light spot so far. This means that it was nearly a hundred times slower than graphical inkjet printers, which impeded many applications so far. Scientists of KIT and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane/Australia have now developed a new system within the 3DMM2O Cluster of Excellence. Using special optics, the laser beam is divided into nine partial beams that focus on a focal point each. All nine partial beams can be used in parallel and, thanks to improved electronic control, they can be moved precisely much more rapidly than ever.
This and some other technical improvements made the researchers reach 3D printing speeds of about 10 million voxels per second, which corresponds to the speed reached by graphical 2D inkjet printers. KIT will continue research and development work in this area. “After all, 3D printers will be used to print not just one page, but thick volumes,” Hahn says. This will also require progress in chemistry. For example, more sensitive photoresists are needed to generate more focal points at the same laser output.
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
3D printer
- A Vernier Take On A 3D Printer Extruder Indicator
A common way to visualize that a 3D printer’s extruder motor — which feeds the filament into the hot end — is moving is to attach a small indicator to the exposed end of the ...
- 3D-printing company specializing in jet engine development opens new Knoxville facility
Beehive Industries celebrated the opening of its new 60,000-square-foot facility on Friday, located in Knoxville.
- Knoxville manufacturer of jet engine parts invests $4M to start 3D printing the full thing
Beehive Industries, an aerospace technology developer, has expanded to a new 60,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at 10505 Murdock Drive. Employees have been in the facility for about a month, ...
- How to de-risk industrial 3D printing with a simple, repeatable simulation workflow
Oqton on how simulation can help to consistently produce quality AM parts, maximize the value of the technology and extend the range of its applications.
- 3D Printing Finds a Home
“Prefabricated 3D printed homes reduce the amount of labor required to build a home, thereby making homes safer, potentially cheaper, and much faster from design to completion,” says Buff López, an ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
3D printer
[google_news title=”” keyword=”3D printer” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
High-speed 3D printer
- Best 3D printer deals: Start printing at home for $159
For now, though, there are a ton of great 3D printer deals you can ... which allows for different printing modes depending on your aim, speed or accuracy of the print. It’s a minor point ...
- UMaine Unveils World’s Largest 3D Printer With ‘Factory Of The Future 1.0’
The University of Maine unveiled the world's largest 3D printer, the FoF 1.0, to help tackle the state's housing shortage.
- KVG adds 15 Nexa3D High Speed Extrusion 3D printers to mission support portfolio
KVG, an internationally recognised provider of mission support and logistics to the defence industry, has invested in 15 Nexa3D High Speed Extrusion (HSE) 3D printers.
- Top 5 Videos: Workspace Preparation for Resin 3D Printing
Discover 3D printing highlights - Resin 3d printing tips, Musk talks 3D printed starships, 3D printed parts for RC cars, and more!
- Modix Releases High Capacity Griffin Ultra Extruder for More 3D Printers
Modix continues its quest to optimize large-format FFF 3D printing with their new toolhead, the Griffin Ultra.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
High-speed 3D printer
[google_news title=”” keyword=”high-speed 3D printer” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]