3d_Silicone Printing

Regan, Luke; Talbot, Jacob; Onffroy, Maxwell

Student Work

3d_Silicone Printing

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The objective of the project was to develop a silicone 3D printer that addresses the scarcity of consumer level Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) 3D printers. The team achieved this through pumping two-part LSR into a water-cooled, active mixer that extrudes into a temperature controlled chamber. The printer pioneers Liquid Additive Manufacturing (LAM) with Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) to create a multi-process Independent Dual Extruder (IDEX) system. Capabilities include printing 10A and above shore hardness silicone and various thermoplastics either individually or in combination. To interface with the printer, a new slicing profile in Ultimaker Cura and custom macros within the Klipper firmware itself were developed. Applications range from fully customizable, rapid prototyping flexible parts such as intricate gaskets and medical components, to multi-material assemblies such as speakers and soft robotics. This project has the ability to replace traditional silicone manufacturing techniques and revolutionize accessible LAM Silicone 3D Printing.

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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