Developing the High-Resolution Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) 3D Jet Printing System for Thermoplastic Materials

Abstract

Three-Dimensional Printing (3DP) is a versatile method that has been quickly developed within the past few decades to become a robust tool widely applied in many fields such as prototyping, constructions, food industry, electronic industry, biomedical applications and modeling for casting. 3DP simplifies the manufacturing process allowing production of complex shaped parts. Several types of 3DP methods exist one of which is electrohydrodynamic (EHD) 3DP. This method can have applications in both the electronic and biomedical industry as it can meet the needs of these industries due to its high-resolution printing capabilities. The high voltage applied in EHD 3DP results in sub 10 μm printing for each printed line allowing for overall high resolution in the final printed product. In EHD 3DP either pneumatic or mechanic pressure can be applied to the syringe to deposit a continuous flow of droplets out from the nozzle. In this work, using the EHD 3DP method, we do not apply any back pressure to our material tube where the only force applied is an electric field force originating from the applied high voltage. In this thesis, the mechanical properties and axial movement capabilities of the High Resolution EHD 3D Jet Printer were developed and improved. Furthermore, the relationship between printing parameters (velocity of the moving platform, temperature of the heating control unit and applied high voltage causing the electric field) and resolution of printing were analyzed in order to define the ideal printing parameters for the desired printing model of a polycaprolactone (PCL) thermoplastic. Finally, results of the tests are given within their corresponding tables and graphs along with a conclusion of the effect of printing parameters.M.S., Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics -- Drexel University, 201