Devices and methods for passive fiber control
AssigneeUniversity of North Texas
InventorsYijie Jiang, Nava Raj Khatri
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided is an insert adapter for direct ink writing printers (DIW) and methods of fiber alignment in direct ink writing. The insert adapter is sized to fit snugly inside a print barrel DIW 3D printer. The adapter includes channels. The DIW printer with insert adapter, can be used in a passive method for microfiber alignment in DIW printing. The method includes feeding a non-Newtonian ink including microfibers through the print barrel such that the ink flows into the channels of the insert adapter before exiting through a print nozzle, causing the microfibers to align along the direction of ink flow.
Claims12
A passive method for microfiber alignment in direct ink writing 3D printing, comprising:
- inserting an insert adapter into a print barrel of a direct ink writing 3D printer, wherein the insert adapter comprises channels;
- feeding a non-Newtonian ink comprising microfibers through the print barrel such that the ink flows into the channels of the insert adapter before exiting through a print nozzle;
- and
- wherein the shear force of the ink passing along the channels causes the microfibers to align along the direction of ink flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.