Advanced Multi-Material Silicone 3D Printer

Current additive manufacturing technologies face limitations in material diversity, lengthy post-processing times and difficulties in integrating complex structures or fibers into printed components. As a result, traditional 3D printers and processes struggle to meet the growing demand for more versatile applications.

The Advanced Multi-Material Silicone 3D Printer addresses these challenges by enabling 3D printing with a wide range of materials, from soft elastomers to hard epoxies. This technology produces high-resolution geometries with customizable mechanical properties. It enables the fabrication of hollow structures and advanced textures without the need for molds or multi-step processes. It resolves a significant pain point in the production of intricate, flexible components by reducing production time and expanding the range of printable materials. By bridging a critical gap in the market, this technology and its IP offers a flexible, multi-material 3D printing solution that delivers both performance and efficiency.

The technology owner is looking for potential partnership through R&D collaboration, IP licensing and test-bedding. Ideal collaboration partners across the value chain include companies in automation, robotics, manufacturing, medical devices, and wearable technology.

Key Features: 

• Multi-material 3D printing: 3D print with a wide range of materials, from soft elastomers to hard epoxies, offering greater versatility in applications
• Direct ink writing (DIW): printing with support gels enables the fabrication of intricate, high-resolution geometries, including hollow structures and flexible components
• Automated fiber embedding (AFE): enhanced mechanical properties of printed objects through seamlessly embedding fibers during the printing process

Specifications of 3D Printer: 

• Build volume: 350 x 350 x 400 mm 
• Printing accuracy: +/- 0.1mm 
• Control pressure: 1-100 psi 
• 3 Cameras (Front camera, bottom camera and top stereo vision camera)
• Auto bed levelling
• Multi-material printing
• Integrated pressure control 

• Healthcare: ideal for medical devices requiring elastomer components with complex structures, such as custom prosthetics, orthotics, and implants
• Automation, Robotics, and Manufacturing: enables the creation of inflatable structures, actuators, and grippers with complex geometries and integrated functionality
• Wearables: facilitates the production of smart textiles by printing directly onto fabrics, supporting the development of smart clothing with integrated sensors, communication systems, and responsive elements, as well as fashion enhancements
• Prototyping: offers a rapid turnaround for customized components compared to traditional multi-step elastomer molding methods
• Other Applications: consumer goods industries that require the fabrication of intricate and flexible components

• Multi-material product: 3D printed part with varying elasticity and hardness 
• Seamless integration: enables high-resolution geometries with hollow structures and advanced textures
• Design flexibility: overcomes traditional molding constraints, allowing for greater creative freedom
• Time and cost efficient: reduces production and post-processing times compared to traditional multi-step molding techniques