FURI | Spring 2024

Development of a Novel Multimetal 3D Printer via Mask Image Projection Based Vat Photopolymerization

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Mask image-based vat photopolymerization 3D printing, which selectively cures photoreactive resin, is an ideal technology for fabricating multimaterial objects by integrating a material exchange process during printing. Currently, two common metal additive manufacturing technologies, powder bed fusion (PBF) and material extrusion, are limited to a small range of printable materials and require specialized equipment that can be costly to the end user. The objective of this project is to construct a low-cost vat photopolymerization printer that is capable of interchanging photocurable metal precursor materials to obtain a multimetal structure using a layer-based approach.

Student researcher

John Walling

Mechanical engineering

Hometown: Redondo Beach, California, United States

Graduation date: Fall 2024