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New process in the field of ceramic 3D printing presented at the Hanover Fair 2015
Ceramic 3D printing technology is making unstoppable advances. Last but not least, a 3D printer for processing testifies to this high-performance ceramicswhich was presented to the public at the Hanover Fair 2015 (April 13-17, 2015).
The ceramic 3D printer developed by the Vienna University of Technology is to be used primarily in the medical field, especially in the healing and reconstruction of bones.
MultiJet printing meets ceramic 3D printing
The process used for this ceramic 3D print is based on a photosensitive (= light-sensitive) resin in which ceramic particles are homogeneously distributed. So this is one with the MultiJet Printing working 3D printer. In this 3D printing process, a light-sensitive plastic (such as that resin mixed with ceramic particles) is applied to a printing plate via a print head, whereby the light source contained in the print head immediately hardens the resulting 3D model. MultiJet 3D printers allow for particularly detailed print objects.
According to the developers, 3D models of high density and strength can be created in this way. In addition, this ceramic 3D printing process can be used to create three-dimensional structures with a thickness of just 25 micrometers.
High-performance ceramics from the 3D printer are primarily intended to heal broken bones and teeth
In general, ceramic 3D printing (apart from the production of art and design objects) is particularly suitable for use in the biomedicine, including this high-performance ceramic MultiJet printer. In concrete terms, this ceramic 3D printing process should primarily be used to create individually adapted tooth and bone implants. Johannes Patzer, who was responsible for the technical management of the project in the development team at the Vienna University of Technology, explains: “Ceramic implants are well tolerated by the human body, since ceramics and bones are inorganic substances”. In the future, according to the developers, the damaged bones should grow into the ceramic implant and gradually replace it. Unlike metal implants, ceramic implants are decomposed by the body and gradually eliminated.
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