Large volume syringe pump extruder for desktop 3D printers.

Area of Science:

• Additive Manufacturing
• Bioprinting
• Materials Science

Background:

• Syringe pump extruders are crucial for 3D printing applications like bioprinting.
• The mass of traditional syringe pumps limits printing speed, resolution, and volume.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate an open-source, large volume extruder (LVE) for low-cost 3D printers.
• To overcome the limitations of syringe mass in 3D printing platforms.

Main Methods:

• Developed an open-source LVE compatible with open-source hardware and software.
• Integrated a standard 60 mL syringe for increased ink reservoir capacity.
• Demonstrated retraction capabilities and high-speed movement functionality.
• Utilized nozzle diameters as small as 100 µm for printing complex shapes, particularly with the FRESH 3D printing method.

Main Results:

• The LVE is compatible with low-cost printers like the PrintrBot Simple Metal.
• It significantly increases print volume compared to average bioprinters.
• Successfully printed fluids with fine nozzle diameters, enabling intricate designs.
• Alginate was used as a model biomaterial to fabricate calibration objects and parametric CAD models.

Conclusions:

• The developed LVE is an accessible, cost-effective solution for enhancing 3D printing capabilities.
• It expands the potential for bioprinting, embedded printing, and food printing applications.
• The extruder facilitates high-resolution printing of complex structures using various fluidic inks.