Applications and Implications

1. What will it do?

The topic of finial project is 3D printing nozzle for Sn. At the beginning of fab academy I would like to make a multi-material 3D printing which can print plastic and Sn together. But I change it to 3D printing nozzle for Sn, For the following reason:

• The multi-material 3D printing is a complex system ,and I don't have enough time to explore it;
• The core of this topic is how to control metal (For example:Sn);
• I have do similar machine frame in machine design and machine making workshop,so I don't need do same frame again;

With the help of Neil and Saverio , I change to this topic.

My finial project (3D printing nozzle for Sn) can used to

• I can use processing to control the temperature and stepper motor rotation. It can help us to test the extrude the metal(Now is Sn Pn alloy ) . Which will help us to find the metal FDM 3D printing material.
• In future, my finial project can be used as a part of multi-material 3D printing and the machine can printing plastic and metal together

2. Who's done what beforehand?

I do some basic explore about other's research. It can be divide to the following:

2.1 Voltera

Voltera is a desktop machine, its nozzle can print conductive silver ink on base board, After print it ,maker need use hot air gun or another high temperature method to dry the material. Then maker can use another method to SMT.

2.2 bionicants

Festo team use 3D MID technology to make a bionicants which can operate similar with the real one.I attach the link: the make of bionicant and [The basic operate of 3D MID] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDpc1-lV5Ns) This is very cool , but it need 3D printing(or injection mold),laser Direct Structuring, metallization, 3D assemble.

2.3 flexeee

Flexeee could print basic component and logic circuit now

Obvious, there are some other similar technology now and in future. I would explore more about those

3. What will you design?

In my finial project I will design the following:

3.1 Use eagle to design PCB board

• Control relay and then turn off or turn on the hot nozzle(we should use relay to control another high power circuit, because the current and voltage is high);
• Use NTC temperature to catch the temperature of hot nozzle;
• Use motor driver to control the stepper motor;

3.2 Use fusion 360 and AutoCAD to design the acrylic frame

3.3 Using Fusion 360 to design the extrude structure

The following video is basic introduce the stucture

3.4 Using processing to control temperature and motor rotation

4. Material

• What materials and components will be used?
• Where will come from?
• How much will they cost?

The following is the BOM

According to the above BOM,the total cost of the demo is RMB186.05($28.612)

5. What parts and systems will be made? What processes will be used?

• Use laser cutter to cut acrylic and then assemble frame(I show the detail in 3.2), it is the base of the machine
• Use milling, lathe, drilling machine to make the block, Input block, washer, spring in this part. It would used to push the material inside the machine
• Use 3D printing joint and standard part, pump, and pipe to make the coolant system

6. What questions need to be answered?

• How to find better material which can meet our need? The material Sn Pb allay has problem in connect with other material (For example PLA)after it output from nozzle;
• Now the Sn Pb allay material is a little soft ,and I need help to improve the strength of Sn Pb allay(diameter 1.5mm);

7. How will it be evaluated?

I can use my finial board to control the stepper motor's rotation and the temperature of nozzle .So that the machine can output melt SnPb allay.