3d printing and fabrication

Abstract

A modified approach for coral restoration by merging 3D printing and molding techniques is presented. This is achieved by 3D scanning live coral specimens, retrieved from sea dives, to obtain a CAD model of the complete coral 3D construction with complex geometries. Select areas of the model are flattened to create a 2D base for micro-fragment adhesion. From the CAD models, disclosed embodiments propose two methods of fabrication. Method A consists of 3D printing the CAD models with commercial thermoplastic materials to create a negative mold, subsequently loaded with synthesized Calcium Carbonate Photoinitiated (CCP) ink to form an eco-friendly coral skeleton. Method B uses syringe-based extrusion 3D printing to directly print a coral skeleton with CCP ink. Both methods are evaluated as a combined proof-of-concept process, 3D CoraPrint, for coral gardening and restoration and providing details required for mimicking coral and bone 3D structures for implantation in bone grafting applications.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.