Scientists used light to speed up 3D printing

Most conventional 3D printing processes rely on reproducing a digital design model,

which is cut into layers. Moreover, the layers are printed and assembled like a cake. 

The new method introduces the ability to manipulatethe original design layer by layer and rotate the print direction without recreating the model. This feature allows more complex structures to be printed and greatly increases production flexibility.

In the new paper, the researchers demonstrate several applications for the new design, including printing a customized vascular stent and a soft pneumatic gripper. 

A new dynamic 3D printing method developed byat Northwestern University, uses light and a high-precision robotic arm to print various structures. To do this, the authors use a robotic arm and a liquid photopolymer, which is activated by light.

Light falling on a liquid polymer causes itcrosslink or polymerize: a liquid turns into a solid. This contributes to the speed and accuracy of the 3D printing process. The continuous printing process allows you to print 4 thousand layers in approximately two minutes.

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