3D Printing
“3D printingis a form of additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is created by laying down successive layers of material. 3D printers are generally faster, more affordable and easier to use than other additive manufacturing technologies. 3D printers offer product developers the ability to print parts and assemblies made of several materials with different mechanical and physical properties in a single build process. Advanced 3D printing technologies yield models that closely emulate the look, feel and functionality of product prototypes.”
“A 3D printer works by taking a 3D computer file and using and making a series of cross-sectional slices. Each slice is then printed one on top of the other to create the 3D object.”
Recent US Patents
9/7/2010
7,790,061
Directed assembly of three-dimensional structures with micron-scale features
Gratson and Lewis of the University of Illinois have developed a printing method of producing three dimensional microstructures by printing using polyelectrolyte inks. This printing includes lithography, two-photon polymerization and colloidal self assembly. Polyelectrolyte, 10 micron diameter filaments are produced consisting of a complex of cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes. (RDC 11/29/2010)