Unified Software for Multi-Functional G-Code: A Method for Implementing Multi-Technology Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) began a manufacturing revolution moving industrial production into consumer homes. With interest shifting toward multi-functional parts fabricated through AM technologies, multi-functional fabrication systems are now being developed. Merging different manufacturing technologies into a single machine is a challenge, but ongoing research in the development of multi-technology systems has shown promise. The software and automation aspects of multi-technology systems are being developed in unison. This paper explores the challenges and approaches to developing software that interfaces with multifunctional CADs and creates files for direct use in multi-technology AM machines.Mechanical Engineerin

A CPW-fed antenna on 3D printed EBG substrate

This paper proposes a coplanar waveguide (CPW) fed antenna and electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure on 3D printed substrates. Low-cost fuse filament fabrication (FFF) technology is employed. Two sets of experiments are described. In the first, the antenna and EBG patterns are etched on copper clad Mylar® polyester film and attached to the 3D printed substrates. In the second, the patterns of the EBG are added using silver conductive paint. Both experiments compare very well between them, and with the simulations. The EBG structure provides improved antenna performance such as gain, efficiency and directivity. The antenna and EBG are designed for the 2.4 GHz Bluetooth frequency band. The Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) computational method was used for the study

Inkjet printed GPS antenna on a 3D printed substrate using low-cost machines

Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, is a process of fabricating a 3D digital design by printing layer after layer. 3D printing has advanced very rapidly in recent years and has become an alternative to traditional manufacture methods for customized objects. Originally intended for the prototyping of mechanical objects, this technique has expanded into different areas such as biomedical [1] and electronics [2]. Within electronics, antennas and microwave engineering can greatly benefit from this technology. Researchers have already demonstrated the potential applicability of 3D printing in this field. Light weight waveguides have been fabricated by copper plating plastics forms [3]. Substrates for antenna applications have been modified and new properties have been found with the assistance of additive manufacturing [4]. Novel frequency selective structures (FSS) have been developed by fully [5] and partially [6] metalizing 3D printed elements. Non-uniform electromagnetic band gap structures have been fabricated on printed substrates [7]. Antennas have been placed onto wearables and tested on 3D printed phantoms [8]–[9]. Fig. 1

3D Printed Interconnects on Bendable Substrates for 3D Circuits

3D printing systems are expanding to realising fully embedded, multi-purpose, out-of-plane circuits. It is possible to utilise the characteristics of 3D printing to produce customisable, complex and bendable 3D structures and sensors that go beyond the use of standard polymer materials used with the current technology. With multi-material 3D printing, the additive manufacturing could be advanced to produce fully embedded sensors and electronic systems that cannot be otherwise produced in a one-step automated process. Our goals are concentrated towards embedding sensing circuits into next generation prosthetics and robotic arms for more advanced and smoother operation. These devices, along with other similar interests such as healthcare wearable devices, will inevitably include moving parts. Therefore, the embedded printed connections and readout circuits should withstand the repeatable bending of the robotic phalanges or sensing devices without degrading in performance or showing any cracks

Digital manufacturing: what are we able to print?

In a rational exercise, in the present paper it is extrapolated how the development of ICTs (information and communication technologies) and the incipient technological development of additive manufacturing has the potential to change our society. In the following, it is analyzing the evolution of man over physical matter and how this has shaped our society. The main milestones or key stages in history that have marked a transcendental change in the human-machine-environment relationship have been identified and consequently have led us to ask ourselves: What is next, how far are we, and what are we capable of printing? In an attempt to identify the current state of the art, highlighting the possibilities those additive technologies can offerPostprint (published version

Novel 3D printed synthetic dielectric substrates

This letter presents dielectric properties of air filled synthetic substrates fabricated in a single process using three-dimensional printing. The permittivity and loss tangent of a given sized substrate can be changed by controlling the air infill volume fraction

Fully 3D-Printed Hemispherical Dielectric Resonator Antenna for C-band Applications

This paper investigates the 3D printing of a hemispherical dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) on a ground plane made from a 3D printed conductive material. The DRA is designed to operate in the C-band (3700 – 4200 MHz) and is intended for satellite communication (SATCOM) applications. The proposed antenna prototype achieved a -10 dB bandwidth of 12.2% with an average and peak gain of 4.69 dBi and peak gain of 5.39 dBi respectively

Compressive Study on Wireless 3d Printer Using Lua Code

3-D printing is a unique technology in the realm of CNC. Often this technology is referred to as Rapid Prototyping as its functional use is often one of (relatively) quickly producing a physical object from a CAD design model. This object can be used to test form, fit, and function prior to building the object in its real material, which likely costs more in time and material stock to produce. As a prototype, this object is fully (exceptions below) workable and functions to test both visual and engineering specifications, as well as completeness, correctness, and overall design integrity. Wireless 3D Printers are machines that produce physical 3D models from digital data by printing layer by layer using Lua code. It can make physical models of objects either designed with a CAD program or scanned with a 3D Scanner. It is used in a variety of industries including jewelry, footwear, industrial design, architecture, engineering and construction, automotive, aerospace, dental and medical industries, education and consumer products. Wireless 3D printer uses LUA code for transfer the data to the Wi-Fi model which sends information to the 3d printer

Inserting Components into Geometries Constructed onto a Non-Standard Substrate for Electronics Packaging

Additive manufacturing (AM) has matured from its initial concept as a prototyping technique to an industrial manufacturing process. Consequently, AM processes must meet relevant standards for an increasing number of applications. Here, we investigate inserting components into geometries constructed onto a silicon nitride substrate, using stereolithography (SLA), for the purpose of electronics packaging. Compared to conventional processes, SLA avoids high temperatures and stresses while permitting much greater flexibility to arrange components in three dimensions. This facilitates an increased feature density and the construction of packages for use in complex spaces. A characteristic of interest to this application, is the SLA material-substrate interaction and the resulting quality of adhesion. The adhesion mechanism between SLA and silicon nitride is investigated and substantially enhanced by a pre-treatment process. A process for then inserting large and complex geometries and components into the SLA build process is identified and compliance of the product with relevant standards is reviewed.Mechanical Engineerin