Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a brand new method to 3D printing that mixes the precision of additive manufacturing with the velocity of conventional molding strategies. The strategy, referred to as Hybrid Formative-Additive Manufacturing (HyFAM), was created by a group from the Division of Civil and Techniques Engineering on the Whiting Faculty of Engineering. Their analysis was just lately printed in Superior Supplies.
“As an alternative of viewing additive and formative manufacturing as competing strategies, we had the concept to marry the 2,” mentioned Jochen Mueller, CaSE assistant professor and principal examine creator. “By combining the advantages of every, we created a brand new manufacturing technique that additionally overcomes a few of their main drawbacks.”
HyFAM works by utilizing a casting-like course of for bulk sections the place tremendous element isn’t obligatory, whereas using conventional 3D printing strategies for detailed areas like outer surfaces. This mixture could make manufacturing as much as 10 to twenty occasions sooner for objects with important cast-like fill, and roughly twice as quick for detail-heavy prints, in line with Mueller. The strategy helps keep away from the inefficiency of printing each half when solely sure sections require precision.
The group has examined HyFAM with numerous supplies together with silicone, ceramics, metals, epoxy, cement, clay, and chocolate. The method required cautious management of fabric circulation and consistency to make sure even filling. It additionally addresses widespread 3D printing issues by serving to bond printed sections collectively uniformly.
Nathan Brown, a doctoral candidate and first creator of the paper, defined the benefit: “Additive manufacturing presents important element, however if you use a small nozzle to realize it, the whole course of slows down. This turns into an actual hinderance in elements with massive inside options and widely-varying function sizes.”
The researchers be aware that HyFAM is especially helpful for mass customization eventualities the place objects have each detailed and non-detailed sections. Whereas not perfect for extremely intricate uniform objects, the group plans to broaden the tactic’s capabilities by experimenting with totally different materials combos to broaden potential functions in industries from development to mushy robotics.
Supply: engineering.jhu.edu
