– 3D printing has developed significantly in recent years. Now, MIT surprises with a new manufacturing process to even print small electronic components. This could simplify the production process of many devices in the future.
What has the university developed? In a research paper from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and in a contribution on the MIT website, the institute presented a new 3D printer. This printer can produce smaller electronic devices like linear motors, unlike conventional variants.
The special thing about it: With the new process, a simple linear motor costs only about 50 cents, which is about 42 euro cents. Furthermore, the motors are operational within a few hours.
According to MIT scientist Luis Fernando, this is just the beginning. In the future, the institute aims to manufacture hardware in a single step, needing no longer to rely on global supply chains.
Four modified print heads make production possible
How does the innovation work? The device is a significantly altered form of commonly available variants, which usually only use one to two print heads and can process only a few different materials simultaneously.
The new platform is expected to handle various materials such as magnetic or electrically conductive substances.
To achieve this, four print heads will be used, which should be able to process the different materials. These will then be deposited layer by layer through a nozzle on a platform.
Additionally, the device is designed to switch between different nozzles for more variability during the manufacturing process. How a 3D printer can be used to create life-size copies of humans is being tested by a YouTuber.
In the future, motors could be easier to manufacture
What does this bring at all? Besides the possibility of avoiding global supply chains, the printing process is expected to immensely reduce manufacturing costs and times.
Such motors are used, among other things, in the production of semiconductors in electrical engineering, computer-controlled manufacturing machines in industry, and in the production of medical equipment (via itg-motor).
According to the contribution on the MIT website, a simple linear motor will then only cost about 50 cents in manufacturing and be operational within a few hours.
In addition to the significant cost savings, it is now possible to manufacture motors and other small electronic devices at a single location. This is expected to prevent weeks of waiting for replacement parts.
Moreover, parts should be individually customizable and can be printed as often as desired. But not only for the production of small components can the devices be used. Another user shows how he lets AI do his homework using a 3D printer: User finds brilliant solution for lazy writers – Lets AI “forge” his handwriting with 3D printer
