Innovative 3D Printing Technology at MIT: A Self-Monitoring System for Complex Fabrications

by Hiroshi Tanaka
5 comments
Advanced 3D Printing Technology

MIT, in collaboration with ETH Zurich, has unveiled a groundbreaking multimaterial 3D inkjet printer. This printer, which incorporates advanced computer vision, autonomously manages the printing material volume in real-time. It showcases the capability of constructing intricate objects like robots layer by layer. The printer employs black spherical materials, solidified through UV light, with cameras overseeing and adjusting the printing process.

The integration of computer vision in 3D printing allows for the use of high-performance materials previously unsuitable for this technology. Engineers can now create composite structures combining both soft and rigid elements, like robotic grippers that can handle heavy items yet safely interact with humans.

Traditional 3D inkjet printers face limitations in material usage due to the resin smoothing process, which can affect slowly curing resins. The new system from MIT and ETH Zurich researchers circumvents these limitations by using a computer vision-based approach to adapt the resin distribution from each nozzle on the fly, ensuring proper material allocation.

This contactless method is compatible with a broader range of materials, including those that cure slower than typical 3D printing acrylates. These materials offer benefits like increased elasticity, durability, and longevity. The printer’s automated adjustments enhance its speed and precision, making it significantly faster than conventional models.

The research team demonstrated this technology by creating complex robotic devices. One such creation is a 3D-printed robotic hand with flexible tendons, sensory-equipped soft fingers, and sturdy bones, featuring 19 independently moving tendons.

Wojciech Matusik, an MIT professor and leader of the Computational Design and Fabrication Group at CSAIL, emphasizes the revolutionary nature of this vision-controlled system. The printer, acting like a machine with eyes and a brain, can observe and decide what to print next.

This innovation builds on a previous low-cost, multimaterial printer, MultiFab, introduced by the team in 2015. The new printer employs vision-controlled jetting, using cameras and lasers to continuously scan and adapt the printing process. The system’s precision enables complex internal structures using wax as a support material.

The printer’s ability to handle diverse materials, including thiol-based resins, opens up new possibilities in robotics and other fields. These materials are more elastic and stable than traditional acrylates, making them ideal for real-world applications.

The team has already explored the potential of this technology in various applications, including a walking robot and a heart-like pump with integrated components. Looking forward, they aim to expand into areas like tissue engineering, semiconductor manufacturing, and more advanced robotic systems.

This research, detailed in Nature on November 15, 2023, was supported by several institutions, including Credit Suisse, the Swiss National Science Foundation, DARPA, and the NSF.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Advanced 3D Printing Technology

What is the new 3D printing technology developed by MIT and ETH Zurich?

MIT and ETH Zurich researchers have developed an innovative multimaterial 3D inkjet printer that employs computer vision to autonomously manage the volume of printing material in real-time. This technology allows for the creation of complex structures, such as robots, by printing layer by layer using materials cured by UV light.

How does the new 3D printer from MIT and ETH Zurich differ from traditional 3D printers?

Unlike traditional 3D printers, this new printer uses a contactless, computer vision-based system to adjust the amount of resin each nozzle deposits. This method enables the use of a wider range of materials, including those that cure more slowly, offering benefits like increased elasticity, durability, and longevity.

What are some applications of the new 3D printing technology?

The technology has been used to create complex robotic devices, including a fully 3D-printed robotic hand with soft fingers and sensor pads, and a six-legged walking robot capable of sensing and grasping objects. It also holds potential for fabricating medical devices, semiconductor polishing pads, and more intricate robots.

What materials can the new 3D printer work with?

The new 3D printer can work with a variety of materials, including thiol-based materials that are more elastic and stable than traditional acrylates used in 3D printing. This expands its application in creating durable and functional objects for real-world environments.

Who led the research for this new 3D printing technology?

The research was led by Wojciech Matusik, a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at MIT, along with Thomas Buchner, a doctoral student at ETH Zurich, and Robert Katzschmann, an assistant professor of robotics at ETH Zurich. The team included members from ETH Zurich and Inkbit.

What is the significance of the vision-controlled jetting technique in this printer?

The vision-controlled jetting technique uses high-frame-rate cameras and lasers to continuously scan the printing surface. This allows for precise adjustments in the deposition of resin, enabling the creation of complex internal structures and the use of a wider range of materials without the need for mechanical leveling of the print surface.

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5 comments

EconNerd22 November 15, 2023 - 5:09 pm

Imagine this 3D printr in economy, change the game, more matrls, better products, awesome!

Reply
JohnDoe94 November 15, 2023 - 6:16 pm

wow this 3D printin thing frm MIT & ETH is so cool, they use comp vision 4 it, it can print robots, very fast!

Reply
JournalistJane November 15, 2023 - 8:34 pm

MIT & ETH did a big thing, robot hand with sensors, this printr can change lots of stuff, future is here!

Reply
SciFiFanatic November 16, 2023 - 5:10 am

vision-control system in 3D printr, lik sci-fi movie, MIT smart ppl did it, so cool!

Reply
TechGeek123 November 16, 2023 - 4:28 pm

this new printr is amazin, can use diff matrls, not lik old ones, can do soft n rigid stuff, 660x faster, great!

Reply

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