TAGS: 3D Printing
A UMass Lowell researcher has invented a new 3D printing technology that could be used to create more durable prosthetics and medical devices for patients and stronger parts for airplanes and automobiles.
Combination of 3D Printing and Injection Molding
The invention, called injection printing, combines elements of 3D printing and injection molding, a technique through which objects are created by filling mold cavities with molten materials. The marriage of the two processes increases the production rate of 3D printing, while enhancing the strength and properties of the resulting products. The innovation typically produces objects about three times faster than conventional 3D printing, which means jobs that once took about nine hours now only take three.
“The invention greatly improves the quality of the parts produced, making them fully dense with few cracks or voids, so they are much stronger. For technical applications, this is game-changing. The new process is also cost-effective because it can be used in existing 3D printers, with only new software to program the machine needed,” Prof. David Kazmer said.
Source: UMass Lowell