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DESIGN, ASSEMBLY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPOSITE ...

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2.4. Robocasting<br />

Developed by Sandia National Laboratory, Robocasting 5, 30 is the key technique<br />

employed in this research. It assembles 3D structures by a sequence of steps: first, a 3D<br />

model of the object is generated in a computer aided drafting (CAD) program or captured<br />

by scanning a real object. Next, the 3D model is sliced into a series of parallel planes, and<br />

tool paths are calculated for filling the resulting perimeters in each plane. Finally, the 3D<br />

object is assembled by printing each planar pattern directly atop the previous one on a flat<br />

substrate. The printing action is accomplished by extruding a colloidal ink through a<br />

deposition nozzle as it traces through the pre-calculated tool path. The ink possesses a<br />

yield stress such that after extrusion it maintains a finite thickness. After each planar<br />

pattern is printed, the deposition nozzle must be raised by a predefined distance to let the<br />

structure evolve. Due to the high concentration of the colloidal ink and the small diameter<br />

(c.a. ≤0.2 mm) of the filament extrudate, the printing process is usually performed with<br />

the substrate and printing nozzle submerged in a low-viscosity oil bath. Only after<br />

printing is completed, the structure is removed from the oil bath and then dried in air.<br />

The subsequent finishing process for as-printed ceramic and metal structures<br />

includes three steps: drying, binder burnout, and sintering. The drying step is necessary to<br />

remove water and oil trapped within the green structure, followed by a binder burnout<br />

step for removal of the polymer additives. Finally, a sintering step is employed to<br />

consolidate the green structure so as to reach desired material properties. The processing<br />

steps involved in Robocasting are described in Figure 2.11. And a schematic illustration<br />

of the Robocasting apparatus is provided in Figure 2.12a.<br />

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