Current 3D printing technology builds objects one layer at a time, often restricting the structures that can be fabricated. In this project the team will use a 5-axis motion system to break away from the limitations of layer-by-layer printing to achieve full free form fabrication. This requires improvements and characterisation of printing parameters as well as programming to control the machine paths (ordinary slicing software is based on layers and not suitable here).
Undergraduate
Main goals:
1. Determine appropriate printing parameters
2. Program machine paths
3. Fabricate demonstration objects such as bridges and helical springs
Enjoy lab work to print and determine parameters. It will be necessary to program and build equipment for fabrication and testing rigs with laser cutter, stepper motors, etc.
Lab allocations have not been finalised