3D Silicone JAS3

Chea, Johnny K.; Bourgeois, Connor R.

Student Work

3D Silicone JAS3

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3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is the creation of a three-dimensional object from a digital 3D model or a CAD model. Additive manufacturing has been applied to countless areas of society such as: manufacturing, aircrafts, automobiles, electronics, robotics, medical, prosthesis, fashion, general commerce, and for educational purposes. The main advantages of 3D printing compared to normal manufacturing processes are in its speed, design flexibility, testability, and cost benefits (MakerBot, 2020). In terms of small production methods, prototyping, small businesses, and educational use, 3D printing is advantageous to other industrial methods. Despite how far additive manufacturing has developed as of today, there are countless opportunities to advance the field such as standardized printing of silicone rubber. Silicone is a polymer frequently used throughout aerospace, textile, automotive and healthcare industries. Silicone’s distinct qualities of a high elasticity and the ability to withstand stress and heat makes it a very appealing material for manufacturing. It’s bio-compatible regarding medical and sport contexts is also a key feature (SIMTEC, n.d.). An interest in the developing field of 3D printing silicone rubber was identified in the Mechanical department of Worcester Polytechnic Institute by Professor Joe Stabile. A team of students were then tasked to further research the current field of silicone printing along with developing a 3D printer extruder for different varieties of liquid silicone rubber (LSR).

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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