Revolutionary hybrid 3D printing technology developed
Scientists and engineers at the AMRC Research Institute, Sheffield, UK, have filed a patent for their truly revolutionary 3D hybrid printing technology, which combines structural, electronic and optical components into a coherent whole in a single manufacturing run. The process, called “THREAD”, allows the use of materials of completely different natures when printing a single object, which has a more complex structure than objects obtained with traditional three-dimensional printing.
“Developing a new process is literally a revolution in 3D printing,” says Mark Cocking, AMRC engineer and inventor of the core idea behind THREAD technology.
Currently, at least until the patent is obtained, the developers do not disclose almost any technical details regarding the THREAD technology. According to the available grains of scarce information, the entire printing process is fully automated, it allows the production of objects having parts of copper, optical fiber, steel and various types of plastics. The process allows for the simultaneous use of multiple printheads working with different materials, which in turn can reduce the time required to print.
Currently, the technology’s capabilities have been demonstrated by printing polymer-based objects, but the developers of THREAD argue that the technology will also make it easy to produce objects whose main “body” consists of metal, ceramics and other materials.
Taking into account all of the above, THREAD technology may become in the near future the main method for the production of electronics and optics, enclosed in a protective shell or capsule. Such electronics are now widely used in medicine and in areas where electronic components can be exposed to corrosive substances from their environment. “Some in the industry have already shown a strong interest in THREAD technology,” says Chris Iveson, AMRC’s technology commercialization officer. applications could be much wider. “Source: http://
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