RevoMaker

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an emerging and enabling technology that is paving its way in different fields of research, including analytical science, for the fabrication of custom devices and portable sensing platforms based on additive manufacturing of objects from Computer-Aided Design (CAD) models. In fact, the last five years have witnessed tremendous advances in novel materials and composites with improved chemical properties (e.g., noble metals, carbon nanomaterials, and chemically resistant polymers). Printing platforms for fabrication of low-cost devices have capitalized on stereolithography (SLA) or dynamic light processing (DLP), inkjet printing, fused deposition modelling (FDM), and selective laser sintering (SLS) that enable decentralized (in situ) measurements. The main advantage of 3D printing is the capability of rapid and single-step prototyping of holders, scaffolds, and integrated complex systems with geometries that cannot easily be manufactured by conventional means, such as computer numerical controlled milling and soft-lithographic approaches. Furthermore, the outreach of this technique has been expanded by the lowering costs of the machinery, the user-friendliness of the CAD software and especially the commercial strategies addressed to the nontechnical and nonscientific collective, currently called the 'maker community'.

Three dimensional printing (3D printing), also known as additive manufacturing, are now being widely studied and developed, as well as in the constructional domain, where the 3D printing is beginning to move from an architect's modelling tool to delivering full-scale architectural components and elements of buildings such as walls and facades. 3D printing process is an additive manufacturing method from one dimensional dot/line to a two dimensional plane, then to a three dimensional object. In this study, magnesium phosphate cement (MPC), which has properties as fast setting, early strength, is introduced to one of the 3D printing techniques, powder based 3D printing. This study is focused on the designing of a 3D printer, the study of raw material print-ability, and the properties of the printed result. A final 3D printer has been built and MPC samples have been successfully printed. The printed result, which is sandwich-like structure, are acceptable with compression strength at 19.4MPa, direct tensile strength at 10.6KPa, and flexural strength at 6.5MPa, maximum in three dimensions. Many other properties can also be derived from this new printing method due to this sandwich structure of the printed result. The major contributions of the study are: 1. Introducing magnesium phosphate cement into the 3D printing technique. The printing material is the key factor to the development of the 3D printing. An acceptable work procedure of magnesium phosphate cement mix is found and applied in this 3D printing research. The raw material is separated to solid and liquid parts, while the particle size of the solid powder mix should be less than 300 micro meter, and both of the solid and liquid could be controlled automatically. 2. A printing strategy is invented to adapt the printing material and the selected printing nozzle. Horizontal scanning is the best choice for this liquid-jetting printing technique. The printing nozzle is a standard needle, with which the liquid is jetted out under a specified pressure. 3. The key parameters of this powder printing technique are found: liquid / solid ratio, and the designed layer thickness. The liquid / solid ratio, as the water /cement ratio in this study, should remain relatively low (around 0.05) to accomplish the printing request. The mechanical properties of the printed results are mainly determined by the designed layer thickness and the degree of the combination between the printing components. 4. A prototype printer has been installed, and designed product is successfully printed out of the magnesium phosphate cement material. The basic properties of the printed result have been tested and studied.

Minor hepatectomy following liver partition between the right anterior and posterior sectors requires technical ingenuities. In such hepatectomy, we used three-dimensional (3D) print; therefore, our procedure was introduced. Digital segmentation of anatomical structures from multidetector-row computed tomography images utilized the original software 'PLUTO', which was developed by Graduate School of Information Science, Nagoya University. After changing the final segmentation data to the stereolithography files, 3D-printed liver at 70% scale was produced. The support material was washed and mould charge was removed from 3D-printed hepatic veins. The surface of 3D-printed model was abraded and coated with urethane resin paint. After natural drying, 3D-printed hepatic veins were coloured by injection of a dye. The 3D-printed portal veins were whitish because mould charge remained. All procedures after 3D printing were performed by hand work. A 3D-printed model of the right posterior sector and a 3D-printed model of other parenchyma were produced, respectively. Measuring the length between the main structures on the liver surface and the planned partition line on the 3D-printed model, land mark between the right anterior and posterior sectors on the real liver surface was produced with scale adjustment. Minor hepatectomy following liver partition between the right anterior and posterior sectors was performed referring to 3D-printed model. The planned liver partition and resection were successful. Application of 3D-printed liver to minor hepatectomy following liver partition between the right anterior and posterior sectors is easy and a suitable procedure.

Background3D printing of anatomical models requires multi-factorial decision making for optimal model manufacturing. Due to the complex nature of the printing process, there are frequently multiple potentialities based on the desired end goal. The task of identifying the most optimal combination of print control variables is inherently subjective and rests on sound operator intuition. This study investigates the effect of orientation, layer and support settings on print time and material usage. This study also presents a quantitative optimization framework to jointly optimize print time and material usage as a function of those settings for multi-pathological anatomical models.MethodsSeven anatomical models representing different anatomical regions (cardiovascular, abdominal, neurological and maxillofacial) were selected for this study. A reference cube was also included in the simulations. Using PreForm print preparation software the print time and material usage was simulated for each model across 4 orientations, 2 layer heights, 2 support densities and 2 support tip sizes. A 90–10 weighted optimization was performed to identify the 5 most optimal treatment combinations that resulted in the lowest print time (90% weight) and material usage (10% weight) for each model.ResultsThe 0.1 mm layer height was uniformly the most optimal setting across all models. Layer height had the largest effect on print time. Orientation had a complex effect on both print time and material usage in certain models. The support density and the support tip size settings were found to have a relatively minor effect on both print time and material usage. Hollow models had a larger support volume fraction compared to solid models.ConclusionsThe quantitative optimization framework identified the 5 most optimal treatment combinations for each model using a 90–10 weighting for print time and material usage. The presented optimization framework could be adapted based on the individual circumstance of each 3D printing lab and/or to potentially incorporate additional response variables of interest.

A comparative study on environmental performance of 3D printing and conventional casting of concrete products with industrial wastes

Three dimensional (3D) printing involves a number of additive manufacturing techniques that are used to build structures from the ground up. This technology has been adapted to a wide range of surgical applications at an impressive rate. It has been used to print patient-specific anatomic models, implants, prosthetics, external fixators, splints, surgical instrumentation, and surgical cutting guides. The profound utility of this technology in surgery explains the exponential growth. It is important to learn how 3D printing has been used in surgery and how to potentially apply this technology. PubMed was searched for studies that addressed the clinical application of 3D printing in all surgical fields, yielding 442 results. Data was manually extracted from the 168 included studies. We found an exponential increase in studies addressing surgical applications for 3D printing since 2011, with the largest growth in craniofacial, oromaxillofacial, and cardiothoracic specialties. The pertinent considerations for getting started with 3D printing were identified and are discussed, including, software, printing techniques, printing materials, sterilization of printing materials, and cost and time requirements. Also, the diverse and increasing applications of 3D printing were recorded and are discussed. There is large array of potential applications for 3D printing. Decreasing cost and increasing ease of use are making this technology more available. Incorporating 3D printing into a surgical practice can be a rewarding process that yields impressive results.

This study evaluates the three-dimensional (3D) printing materials used in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printing technology. 3D printing technology has been developing strongly, becoming an effective support tool in production and research. The 3D printing process involves many stages, with many parameters affecting the quality and properties of the product, in which 3D printing material is one of many essential factors affecting that process. The study conducts a comprehensive assessment of the most common materials in 3D printing technology to determine the advantages and limitations of precisely five types of materials: Polylactic acid, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified, thermoplastic polyurethane, and acrylonitrile styrene acrylate. With 3D printing, parameters such as sintering temperature, printing speed, and layer thickness are kept constant. These parameters are applied equally to all five material samples. The experiment evaluates the tensile strength of materials. The study results provide an overview of the properties and applicability of 3D printing materials, helping to select materials suitable for specific FDM 3D printing technology applications.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies enables fast prototyping of complex 3D objects with ever improving printing qualities. To date, 3D printing has been found useful in areas such as manufacturing, industrial design, aerospace, dental and medical industries, and many others. In this article, we review recent advances of 3D printing technologies for terahertz (THz) applications. Different 3D printing technologies and printable materials are first discussed and compared. 3D-printed THz components and devices, which are categorized as waveguides/fibers, antennas, and quasi-optical components, are further demonstrated. It is found that the performances and functionalities of 3D-printed THz devices have been greatly enhanced, while the operating frequencies have been increased from the lower end of THz range to over 1 THz region. With further development of novel materials and printing techniques, it is believed that 3D printing technologies will play an important role in the realization of THz components for efficient control and manipulation of THz waves.

Recent trends in natural polysaccharide based bioinks for multiscale 3D printing in tissue regeneration: A review

Effects of pea protein isolate on 3D printing performance, nutritional and sensory properties of mango pulp

Utilizing steel slag aggregate (SA) as a substitute for river sand in 3D concrete printing (3DCP) has emerged as a new technique as natural resources become increasingly scarce. This study investigates the feasibility of using steel slag (SS) as fine aggregate for 3DCP. Ninety mixtures with varying steel slag aggregate-to-cement ratios (SA/C), water-to-cement ratios (W/C), and silica fume (SF) contents were designed to study the workability and compressive strength of the 3D-printed concrete. Additionally, the actual components were printed to evaluate the printability of these mixtures. The experimental results indicate that it is feasible to fully employ SA in concrete for 3D printing. Mixtures with slump values ranging from 40 to 80 mm and slump flow values varying from 190 to 210 mm are recommended for 3D printing. The optimal mix is determined to have SA/C and W/C ratios of 1.0 and 0.51, respectively, and an SF content of 10% by cement weight. A statistical approach was utilized to construct the prediction models for slump and slump flow. Moreover, to predict the plastic failure of the 3D-printed concrete structure, the modified prediction model with an SA roughness coefficient of 4 was found to fit well with the experimental data. This research provides new insights into using eco-friendly materials for 3D concrete printing.

Vat photopolymerization (VP) 3D printing, a subset of additive manufacturing, is renowned for its capability to create intricate structures with high precision, particularly useful in optical applications. The process involves using photosensitive resins cured layer by layer through various light-curing technologies like Stereolithography (SLA), Digital Light Processing (DLP), Two-Photon Polymerization (TPP), Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP), and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). Each technique offers unique advantages in terms of speed, resolution, and material compatibility, with TPP providing the highest resolution. This review explores the diverse applications of VP 3D-printed optical components, including lenses, waveguides, optical gratings, resonators, metamaterials, sensors, and actuators, demonstrating their significant role in advancing optical technology and innovation. Challenges in material selection, post-processing requirements, size limitations, and support structures are discussed, alongside potential future research directions. These include developing advanced photopolymer materials with enhanced optical properties, hardware improvements for higher resolution and multi-material printing, and quality assurance measures for ensuring optical precision. Despite some limitations, VP 3D printing presents a promising avenue for the rapid prototyping and production of complex, multifunctional optical devices, marking a significant stride in optical manufacturing and technological development.

3D printing technology is gradually considered to be a rapid development of a green revolution in the field of architecture. Recently, utilizing solid mine waste to replace natural sand not only greatly reduces the 3D printing costs, but also contributes to an environmental sustainability development. However, most solid waste inevitably has an impact on the inherent mechanical strength and printability of concrete materials. It is an urgent requirement to expand the alternative materials and improve the overall property of 3D concrete materials. This paper reported an innovative concrete material that replaced natural sand with fine limestone powders for 3D concrete printing applications. The experimental measurements were performed including microstructures characteristics, flowability, buildability, shrinkability, layer-interface properties, mechanical properties and interlayer bonding strength. Besides, an effective method was proposed to characterize the printable properties of concrete materials and then the reasonable limestone powder replacement ratio was determined. Based on the investigation results, appropriate substituting limestone powder (40%) can effectively improve the grading of the concrete, thus promoting its printability and buildability. Moreover, the microstructures of the 3D printing concrete materials after curing were denser and their mechanical property improved by approximately 45%. With the further increase of replacement ratio, the reduction in the flowability led to a decrease of the printability. A large number of fine particles increased the shrinkage of the curing process and some bubbles were stranded inside the materials due to its increase in the viscosity, thereby reducing the mechanical properties of the hardened material. The produced concrete for 3D printing can be treated as an eco-friendly building material that contributes to the rational development and resource utilization of solid water, thus promoting the sustainable development of construction field.

Additive manufacturing (3d printing) in response to a pandemic: Lessons learned at the children's hospital of Philadelphia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26565/2074-8922-2025-85-14 Develop and validate an open learning platform based on 3D printing that allows students to generate, customize, and physically implement their own robotic models as part of their professional training. The paper proposes the architecture of the Robo3D platform, which combines parametric CAD models, a library of modular components, and instructions for integrating standard electronics. The platform is implemented as an open digital environment where students can select basic configurations (wheeled, tracked, manipulator, etc.), set geometric parameters, export STL files for 3D printing, and assemble functional prototypes. To assess its pedagogical effectiveness, a teaching experiment was conducted in the format of project-oriented learning, in which students developed their own robotics projects based on the generated models. The analysis was carried out according to the criteria of originality of design, functional completeness, technical complexity, and compliance with the set task. The Robo3D platform provided a high level of student autonomy in design: 78% of participants created unique robots that did not repeat template solutions. Most projects demonstrated the integration of mechanical, electronic, and software components, indicating the formation of interdisciplinary engineering thinking. Teachers noted increased motivation to experiment and a willingness to iteratively improve designs. In addition, the use of a parametric approach reduced design time by 35% compared to manual modeling. The proposed platform for generating robotic models based on 3D printing is an effective tool for professional education, combining the flexibility of digital design with practical implementation. It not only simplifies access to complex engineering contexts, but also creates conditions for the development of creativity, technical independence, and a deep understanding of the principles of robotic systems. In cites: Ozha M. M., Sitkar T. V., Mazur I.-S. V. (2025). Using 3D printing to create educational robotics platforms by computer specialists. Problems of Engineering Pedagogic Education, (85), 163-172. https://doi.org/10.26565/2074-8922-2025-85-14 (in Ukrainian)