How did the Cranfield University Centre for Engineering Photonics go from printing their first Hello Kitty Darth Vader model to creating groundbreaking lab experiments?
Using an Ultimaker 2+, they achieved results that impacted fields such as medicine and space research, all at a fraction of the cost of previous modeling methods.
The team works on microfluidics technology. This is a branch of technology that involves moving very small liquid samples - typically about the size of a drop of water - through a sensor for analysis.
You'll find it used in medical diagnostics, DNA slicing, and even outer space research, especially when it's more efficient or only tiny samples are available.
In 2014, Cranfield University researcher Dr. Matthew Partridge convinced the department to purchase its first 3D printer. He found that 3D printing had the potential to help achieve cheaper design changes, no matter what you wanted to do.
As Matthew explains: "When developing microfluidics, you often want to change the channels in the device, which is not an inexpensive process, even if the final product can be mass-produced very cheaply."
The 3D design of the device shows internal channels. The Ultimaker 3D printer can achieve the required level of detail.
In addition to reducing costs over time, 3D printing also helped the team create better final designs.
Previously, they paid the price for machining and the cost of aluminum and steel materials. As Matthew says: "The problem with that is once you have an 'ordinary' model, you stop because getting another would cost twice as much."
The material and labor costs of FDM 3D printing are low, allowing the design process to continue until the device is perfected.
“Having a 3D printer is like having a technician who can work overnight, complains little, and likes to be oiled once a month.”
Microscale Design with 3D Printing
Microfluidic devices move liquid samples through very small channels - a few hundred microns in diameter or less - to pass them through a sensor. To develop new devices, students first translate their ideas into 3D designs using Sketchup software.
They print initial versions to check if it prints well and if all parts fit together, then gradually add more detail. The designer prints and tests one attribute at a time until the device is deemed ready.
When the design is complete, simply print as many as you need!
If you want to see one of their devices, you can download the design yourself and even try to print it.
Achieving Results
Matthew and his team published their research in a paper titled "Optimized wire-based 3D printing for microfluidic platforms."
When they first presented their findings at a conference, they said many researchers responded with "You can't do that, what are you talking about?"
However, when they showed the results and shared their models, they connected with other organizations, and they too began using 3D printing for microfluidics.
In addition to using the Ultimaker 2+ to create microfluidic devices, it has become an essential lab tool for various other uses.
This allows for printing beam processors, visualization aids, or opportunities to help other departments with projects.
"It was very unexpected," Matthew said. "We didn't think we could be so flexible with it. It's a great tool for scientists. We now offer a one-day 3D printing course for researchers in London to tell them about these benefits."
Original source: https://ultimaker.com/en/stories/51218-3d-printing-in-the-lab-precise-affordable-research-tools