3D printer 6-axis biopol in operando
Description
The 3D printer envisaged consists of a 6-axis robot equipped with a laser scanner and different interchangeable extrusion heads allowing the deposition of:
- Thermoplastic polymers, in particular from plant biomass,
- Low to high viscosity polymer suspensions/solutions;
- Solutions/suspensions of photo/thermo crosslinkable polymers.
Alongside the 3D printing process, the articulated arm can perform 3D scanning operations for dimensional control of printed parts and pick and place operations to manipulate printed objects (i.e. position them in nearby measuring instruments).
The printer comes with dedicated applications for:
- Planar 3D printing from 2D printing substrate,
- Non-planar 2.5D printing from a 3D printing substrate.
All 3D printing, scanning and handling operations can be automated according to application needs.
It is planned to put this system in laboratory or synchrotron x-ray microtomographs.
Location
LGP2 – UMR5518 – CNRS – Grenoble-INP.
Technical characteristics
Note: these technical characteristics come from the specifications for submission to a call for tenders.
- Extrusion heads for materials in solution/suspension: pneumatic doser, volumetric pump, screw pump (nozzle size from 0.4 to 1 mm).
- Extrusion head for thermoplastic polymers: (powered with 1.75 mm filament or pellets, Tmax 260°C, nozzle size from 0.4 to 0.8 mm).
- Print volume: 400x400x400 mm3.
- Positioning accuracy: < 0.3 mm (depending on calibration/printing mode).
- Printing speed: 10-50 mm/s.
- 3D scanning accuracy: 50-75 µm/pixel, standard scanning speed 20-140 cm2/s.
- Maximum load/reach for handling objects: 3 kg/60 cm.
Associated targeted project
