Analysis of specimens from phase I of the 3D printing in Zero G technology demonstration mission

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1212-1225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracie Prater ◽  
Quincy Bean ◽  
Niki Werkheiser ◽  
Richard Grguel ◽  
Ron Beshears ◽  
...  

Purpose Human space exploration to date has been limited to low Earth orbit and the moon. The International Space Station (ISS) provides a unique opportunity for researchers to prove out the technologies that will enable humans to safely live and work in space for longer periods and venture farther into the solar system. The ability to manufacture parts in-space rather than launch them from earth represents a fundamental shift in the current risk and logistics paradigm for human space exploration. The purpose of this mission is to prove out the fused deposition modeling (FDM) process in the microgravity environment, evaluate microgravity effects on the materials manufactured, and provide the first demonstration of on-demand manufacturing for space exploration. Design/methodology/approach In 2014, NASA, in cooperation with Made in Space, Inc., launched a 3D printer to the ISS with the goal of evaluating the effect of microgravity on the fused deposition modeling (FDM) process and prove out the technology for use on long duration, long endurance missions where it could leveraged to reduce logistics requirements and enhance crew safety by enabling a rapid response capability. This paper presents the results of testing of the first phase of prints from the technology demonstration mission, where 21 parts where printed on orbit and compared against analogous specimens produced using the printer prior to its launch to ISS. Findings Mechanical properties, dimensional variations, structural differences and chemical composition for ground and flight specimens are reported. Hypotheses to explain differences observed in ground and flight prints are also developed. Phase II print operations, which took place in June and July of 2016, and ground-based studies using a printer identical to the hardware on ISS, will serve to answer remaining questions about the phase I data set. Based on Phase I analyses, operating the FDM process in microgravity has no substantive effect on the material produced. Practical implications Demonstrates that there is no discernable, engineering significant effect on operation of FDM in microgravity. Implication is that material characterization activities for this application can be ground-based. Originality/value Summary of results of testing of parts from the first operation of 3D printing in a microgravity environment.

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 855-869
Author(s):  
John Carrell ◽  
Garrett Gruss ◽  
Elizabeth Gomez

Purpose This paper aims to provide a review of four-dimensional (4D) printing using fused-deposition modeling (FDM). 4D printing is an emerging innovation in (three-dimensional) 3D printing that encompasses active materials in the printing process to create not only a 3D object but also a 3D object that can perform an active function. FDM is the most accessible form of 3D printing. By providing a review of 4D printing with FDM, this paper has the potential in educating the many FDM 3D printers in an additional capability with 4D printing. Design/methodology/approach This is a review paper. The approach was to search for and review peer-reviewed papers and works concerning 4D printing using FDM. With this discussion of the shape memory effect, shape memory polymers and FDM were also made. Findings 4D printing has become a burgeoning area in addivitive manufacturing research with many papers being produced within the past 3-5 years. This is especially true for 4D printing using FDM. The key findings from this review show the materials and material composites used for 4D printing with FDM and the limitations with 4D printing with FDM. Research limitations/implications Limitations to this paper are with the availability of papers for review. 4D printing is an emerging area of additive manufacturing research. While FDM is a predominant method of 3D printing, it is not a predominant method for 4D printing. This is because of the limitations of FDM, which can only print with thermoplastics. With the popularity of FDM and the emergence of 4D printing, however, this review paper will provide key resources for reference for users that may be interested in 4D printing and have access to a FDM printer. Practical implications Practically, FDM is the most popular method for 3D printing. Review of 4D printing using FDM will provide a necessary resource for FDM 3D printing users and researchers with a potential avenue for design, printing, training and actuation of active parts and mechanisms. Social implications Continuing with the popularity of FDM among 3D printing methods, a review paper like this can provide an initial and simple step into 4D printing for researchers. From continued research, the potential to engage general audiences becomes more likely, especially a general audience that has FDM printers. An increase in 4D printing could potentially lead to more designs and applications of 4D printed devices in impactful fields, such as biomedical, aerospace and sustainable engineering. Overall, the change and inclusion of technology from 4D printing could have a potential social impact that encourages the design and manufacture of such devices and the treatment of said devices to the public. Originality/value There are other 4D printing review papers available, but this paper is the only one that focuses specifically on FDM. Other review papers provide brief commentary on the different processes of 4D printing including FDM. With the specialization of 4D printing using FDM, a more in-depth commentary results in this paper. This will provide many FDM 3D printing users with additional knowledge that can spur more creative research in 4D printing. Further, this paper can provide the impetus for the practical use of 4D printing in more general and educational settings.


Author(s):  
Michael A. Luzuriaga ◽  
Danielle R. Berry ◽  
John C. Reagan ◽  
Ronald A. Smaldone ◽  
Jeremiah J. Gassensmith

Biodegradable polymer microneedle (MN) arrays are an emerging class of transdermal drug delivery devices that promise a painless and sanitary alternative to syringes; however, prototyping bespoke needle architectures is expensive and requires production of new master templates. Here, we present a new microfabrication technique for MNs using fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing using polylactic acid, an FDA approved, renewable, biodegradable, thermoplastic material. We show how this natural degradability can be exploited to overcome a key challenge of FDM 3D printing, in particular the low resolution of these printers. We improved the feature size of the printed parts significantly by developing a post fabrication chemical etching protocol, which allowed us to access tip sizes as small as 1 μm. With 3D modeling software, various MN shapes were designed and printed rapidly with custom needle density, length, and shape. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that our method resulted in needle tip sizes in the range of 1 – 55 µm, which could successfully penetrate and break off into porcine skin. We have also shown that these MNs have comparable mechanical strengths to currently fabricated MNs and we further demonstrated how the swellability of PLA can be exploited to load small molecule drugs and how its degradability in skin can release those small molecules over time.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Julius Krause ◽  
Laura Müller ◽  
Dorota Sarwinska ◽  
Anne Seidlitz ◽  
Malgorzata Sznitowska ◽  
...  

In the treatment of pediatric diseases, suitable dosages and dosage forms are often not available for an adequate therapy. The use of innovative additive manufacturing techniques offers the possibility of producing pediatric dosage forms. In this study, the production of mini tablets using fused deposition modeling (FDM)-based 3D printing was investigated. Two pediatric drugs, caffeine and propranolol hydrochloride, were successfully processed into filaments using hyprolose and hypromellose as polymers. Subsequently, mini tablets with diameters between 1.5 and 4.0 mm were printed and characterized using optical and thermal analysis methods. By varying the number of mini tablets applied and by varying the diameter, we were able to achieve different release behaviors. This work highlights the potential value of FDM 3D printing for the on-demand production of patient individualized, small-scale batches of pediatric dosage forms.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 804-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiqing Cao ◽  
Dandan Yu ◽  
Weilan Xue ◽  
Zuoxiang Zeng ◽  
Wanyu Zhu

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to prepare a new modified polybutylene terephalate (MPBT) for fused deposition modeling (FDM) to increase the variety of materials compatible with printing. And the printing materials can be used to print components with a complex structure and functional mechanical parts. Design/methodology/approach The MPBT, poly(butylene terephalate-co-isophthalate-co-sebacate) (PBTIS), was prepared for FDM by direct esterification and subsequent polycondensation using terephthalic acid (PTA), isophthalic acid (PIA), sebacic acid (SA) and 1,4-butanediol (BDO). The effects of the content of PIA (20-40 mol%) on the mechanical properties of PBTIS were investigated when the mole per cent of SA (αSA) is zero. The effects of αSA (0-7mol%) on the thermal, rheological and mechanical properties of PBTIS were investigated at nPTA/nPIA = 7/3. A desktop wire drawing and extruding machine was used to fabricate the filaments, whose printability and anisotropy were tested by three-dimensional (3D) printing experiments. Findings A candidate content of PIA introducing into PBT was obtained to be about 30 per cent, and the Izod notched impact strength of PBTIS increased with the increase of αSA. The results showed that the PBTIS (nPTA/nPIA = 7/3, αSA = 3-5mol%) is suitable for FDM. Originality/value New printing materials with good Izod notched impact strength were obtained by introducing PIA and SA (nPTA/nPIA = 7/3, αSA = 3-5 mol%) into PBT and their anisotropy are better than that of ABS.


2021 ◽  
Vol 896 ◽  
pp. 29-37
Author(s):  
Ján Milde ◽  
František Jurina ◽  
Jozef Peterka ◽  
Patrik Dobrovszký ◽  
Jakub Hrbál ◽  
...  

The article focused on the influence of part orientation on the surface roughness of cuboid parts during the process of fabricating by FDM technology. The components, in this case, is simple cuboid part with the dimensions 15 mm x 15mm x 30 mm. A geometrical model is defined that considers the shape of the material filaments after deposition, to define a theoretical roughness profile, for a certain print orientation angle. Five different print orientations in the X-axis of the cuboid part were set: 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°. According to previous research in the field of FDM technology by the author, the internal structure (infill) was set at the value of 70%. The method of 3D printing was the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and the material used in this research was thermoplastic ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). For each setting, there were five specimens (twenty five prints in total). Prints were fabricated on a Zortrax M200 3D printer. After the 3D printing, the surface “A” was investigated by portable surface roughness tester Mitutoyo SJ-210. Surface roughness in the article is shown in the form of graphs (Fig.7). Results show increase in part roughness with increasing degree of part orientation. When the direction of applied layers on the measured surface was horizontal, significant improvement in surface roughness was observed. Findings in this paper can be taken into consideration when designing parts, as they can contribute in achieving lower surface roughness values.


Lab on a Chip ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reverson Fernandes Quero ◽  
Gessica Domingos Silveira ◽  
Jose Alberto Fracassi da Silva ◽  
Dosil Pereira de Jesus

The fabrication of microfluidic devices through Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing has faced several challenges, mainly regarding obtaining microchannels with suitable transparency and sizes. Thus, the use of this...


2017 ◽  
Vol 107 (07-08) ◽  
pp. 520-523
Author(s):  
J. Prof. Bliedtner ◽  
M. Schilling

Das FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)-Verfahren ist aufgrund der Vielzahl von industriellen und privaten Anwendungen gegenwärtig das erfolgreichste 3D-Druck-Verfahren. Ziel des Forschungs- und Entwicklungsprojektes „HP3D“ ist die effiziente Herstellung von großformatigen Bauteilen in einem echten 3D-Verfahren aus frei wählbaren thermoplastischen Kunststoffen. An die Umsetzung des Projekts wurde sehr komplex herangegangen, um zu garantieren, dass die mechanischen und dynamischen Eigenschaften der aufgebauten Teile den konzipierten Eigenschaften entsprechen.   The FDM process is currently the most successful 3D printing process due to the multitude of industrial and private applications. The aim of the research and development project HP3D is the efficient production of large-format components in a real 3D process made of freely selectable thermoplastics. The implementation of the project has been very complex in order to ensure that the mechanical and dynamic properties of the assembled parts correspond to the designed properties.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iman Sedighi ◽  
Majid R. Ayatollahi ◽  
Bahador Bahrami ◽  
Marco A. Pérez-Martínez ◽  
Andrés A. Garcia-Granada

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the Mode I fracture behavior of polycarbonate (PC) parts produced using fused deposition modeling (FDM). The focus of this study is on samples printed along the out-of-plane direction with different raster angles. Design/methodology/approach Tensile and Mode I fracture tests were conducted. Semi-circular bend specimens were used for the fracture tests, which were printed in four different raster patterns of (0/90), (15/−75) (30/−60) and (45/−45). Moreover, the finite element method (FEM) was used to determine the applicability of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) for the printed PC parts. The fracture toughness results, as well as the fracture path and the fracture surfaces, were studied to describe the fracture behavior of the samples. Findings Finite element results confirm that the use of LEFM is allowed for the tested PC samples. The fracture toughness results show that changing the direction of the printed rasters can have an effect of up to 50% on the fracture toughness of the printed parts, with the (+45/−45) and (0/90) orientations having the highest and lowest resistance to crack propagation, respectively. Moreover, except for the (0/90) orientation, the other samples have higher crack resistance compared to the bulk material. The fracture toughness of the tested PC depends more on the toughness of the printed sample, rather than its tensile strength. Originality/value The toughness and the energy absorption capability of the printed samples (with different raster patterns) were identified as the main properties affecting the fracture toughness of the AM PC parts. Because the fracture resistance of almost all the samples was higher than that of the base material, it is evident that by choosing the right raster patterns for 3D-printed parts, very high resistance to crack growth may be obtained. Also, using FEM and comparing the size of the plastic zones, it was concluded that, although the tensile curves show nonlinearity, LEFM is still applicable for the printed parts.


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