3D printing device and method

A 3D printing system for printing pharmaceutical dosage forms based on a digital drug model, comprising:

• a first printing module;
• a first melt extrusion module connected to the first printing module;
• a second printing module;
• a second melt extrusion module connected to the second printing module;
• a control module;
• a deposition platform;
• a platform driving mechanism, and
• an inspection module;
• wherein the first melt extrusion module comprises a first processing chamber having a feed inlet and a discharge outlet,
• wherein the first melt extrusion module is configured to receive a first initial material through the feed inlet of the first processing chamber and heat and extrude the first initial material, so that the first initial material is converted into a first melt and the first melt is extruded from the discharge outlet of the first processing chamber,
• wherein the first printing module is connected to the discharge outlet of the first processing chamber,
• wherein the first printing module comprises a first group of nozzles,
• wherein the first printing module is configured to receive the first melt extruded from the discharge outlet of the first processing chamber,
• wherein the second melt extrusion module comprises a second processing chamber having a feed inlet and a discharge outlet,
• wherein the second melt extrusion module is configured to receive a second initial material through the feed inlet of the second processing chamber and heat and extrude the second initial material, so that the second initial material is converted into a second melt and the second melt is extruded from the discharge outlet of the second processing chamber,
• wherein the second printing module is connected to the discharge outlet of the second processing chamber,
• wherein the second printing module comprises a second group of nozzles,
• wherein the second printing module is configured to receive the second melt extruded from the discharge outlet of the second processing chamber,
• wherein the first initial material comprises an active ingredient of a drug,
• wherein the control module is configured to:
• generate one or more control commands based on the digital drug model for controlling the 3D printing system,
• in accordance with a determination that a ratio of the active ingredient and an excipient of the drug exceeds a first threshold, generate the one or more control commands to decrease a discharge speed of the first initial material, or to increase a discharge speed of the second initial material, and
• in accordance with a determination that the ratio of the active ingredient and the excipient is below a second threshold, generate the one or more control commands to increase the discharge speed of the first initial material, or to decrease the discharge speed of the second initial material,
• wherein the platform driving mechanism is configured to drive the deposition platform to move between a position below the first group of nozzles and a position below the second group of nozzles based on the one or more control commands,
• wherein the first printing module is configured to, when the deposition platform is moved below the first group of nozzles, open the first group of nozzles to extrude the first melt to form a first portion of the pharmaceutical dosage forms on the deposition platform,
• wherein the second printing module is configured to, when the deposition platform is moved below the second group of nozzles, open the second group of nozzles to extrude the second melt to form a second portion of the pharmaceutical dosage forms on the deposition platform,
• wherein the inspection module is configured to measure one or more parameters of the pharmaceutical dosage forms, and
• the one or more control commands are generated further based on the one or more measured parameters.