Design of an Open-Source, Low-Cost Bioink and Food Melt Extrusion 3D Printer

Summary

The aim of this work is to design and construct a reservoir-based melt extrusion three-dimensional printer made from open-source and low-cost components for applications in the biomedical and food printing industries.

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an increasingly popular manufacturing technique that allows highly complex objects to be fabricated with no retooling costs. This increasing popularity is partly driven by falling barriers to entry such as system set-up costs and ease of operation. The following protocol presents the design and construction of an Additive Manufacturing Melt Extrusion (ADDME) 3D printer for the fabrication of custom parts and components. ADDME has been designed with a combination of 3D-printed, laser-cut, and online-sourced components. The protocol is arranged into easy-to-follow sections, with detailed diagrams and parts lists under the headings of framing, y-axis and bed, x-axis, extrusion, electronics, and software. The performance of ADDME is evaluated through extrusion testing and 3D printing of complex objects using viscous cream, chocolate, and Pluronic F-127 (a model for bioinks). The results indicate that ADDME is a capable platform for the fabrication of materials and constructs for use in a wide range of industries. The combination of detailed diagrams and video content facilitates access to low-cost, easy-to-operate equipment for individuals interested in 3D printing of complex objects from a wide range of materials.

Introduction

Additive manufacturing is a powerful manufacturing technology that has the potential to provide significant value to the industrial landscape¹,². The attractive features of additive manufacturing involve no tooling costs, high levels of customization, complex geometries, and reduced barriers to entry costs. No retooling costs allow for the rapid manufacturing of prototypes, which is desirable when trying to decrease "time to market", which is a critical aim of industries in developed nations trying to remain competitive against low-wage competitors¹. High levels of customizability allow fo....

Protocol

CAUTION: There is a risk of burns caused by hot soldering irons and heating cartridges. The heating cartridge should never be powered when not secured inside of the heating jacket. There is also a risk of pinching or lacerations from the moving 3D printer axis.

1. Overview and preparation

NOTE: Figure 1A shows a computer-generated rendering of the printer and Figure 1B is a p.......

Discussion

This protocol provides detailed instructions for constructing a low-cost melt extrusion-based 3D printer. Construction of the 3D printer can be broken down into subsections including frame, y-axis/bed, x-axis, extruder, electronics, and software. These subsections are presented with detailed diagrams, drawings, files and parts lists. The total price of an ADDME 3D printer comes to $343 AUD ($245 USD as of 01/17/2019), making this the cheapest, reservoir-based melt extrusion 3D printer currently known. It was aimed to mak.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
15 W 12V DC 50x100mm Flexible Silicon Heater	Banggood	1280175	Optional; AU$4.46
3D Printer	Lulzbot		https://download.lulzbot.com/
3D Printer	Ultimaker	Ultimaker 2+
AC 100-240V to DC 12V 5A 60W Power Supply	Banggood	994870	AU$12.7
Acrylic Sheet White Continuous Cast 1200x600mm	Mulford Plastics		AU$36.95
Allen Keys	Metric
Arduino MEGA2560 R3 with RAMPS 1.4 Controller	Geekcreit	984594	AU$28.91
Carbon Steel Linear Shaft 8mm x 350mm	Banggood	1119330	AU$13.44
Carbon Steel linear Shaft 8mm x 500mm	Banggood	1276011	AU$19.42
Chocolate	Cadbury
Computer with internet access	Dell
Coupler 5-8mm	Banggood	1070710	AU$6.93
Hand Cream	Nivea	80102
Heating Cartridge	Creality 3D	1192704	AU$4.75
K Type Temperature Sensor Thermocouple	Banggood	1212169	AU$2.37
Laser Cutter	trotec	Speedy 300	https://www.troteclaser.com/
M10 1mm Pitch Thread Metal Hex Nut + Washer	UXCELL		AU$8.84
M10 1mm Pitch Zinc Plated Pipe 400mm Length	UXCELL		AU$11.62
M2 - 0.4mm Internal Thread Brass Inserts	Ebay		AU$5.65
M2 Nuts	Suleve	1239291	AU$9.17
M2 x 10 mm Button Hex Screws	Suleve	1239291	AU$9.17
M2 x 5mm Button Hex Screws	Suleve	1239291	AU$9.17
M3 - 0.5mm Internal Thread Brass Inserts	Suleve	1262071	AU$7.5
M3 Nuts	Suleve	1109208	AU$7.85
M3 Washer	Banggood	1064061	AU$3.05
M3 x 10mm Button Hex Screws	Suleve	1109208	AU$7.85
M3 x 20mm Button Hex Screws	Suleve	1109208	AU$7.85
M3 x 6mm Button Hex Screws	Suleve	1109208	AU$7.85
M3 x 8mm Button Hex Screws	Suleve	1109208	AU$7.85
M4 x 8mm Button Hex Screws	Suleve	1273210	AU$4.32
Needle Luer Lock 18 - 27 Gauge	Terumo	TGA ARTG ID: 130227	AU$3.57
NEMA 17 Stepper Motor	Casun	42SHD0001-24B	AU$54
NEMA Stepper Motor Mounting Bracket	Banggood	ptNema17br90	AU$4.79
Pillow Block Flange Bearing 8mm	Banggood	KFL08	AU$5.04
PLA Filament	Creality 3D	1290153	AU$24.95
Pluronic F127	Sigma Aldrich	P2443-250G
SC8UU 8mm Linear Motion Ball Bearing	Toolcool	935967	AU$21.6
SG-5GL Micro Limit Switch	Omron	1225333	AU$4.5
Soldering Station			Solder, Wires, Heat shrink e.c.t.
Spring	Banggood	995375	AU$2.53
Syringe 3ml Luer Lock Polypropylene	Brauhn	9202618N	AU$3.14
Timing Pulley GT2 20 Teeth and Belt Set	Banggood	10811303	AU$11.48
Trapezoidal Lead Screw and Nut 8mm x 400mm	Banggood	1095315	AU$29.02
Variable Spanner