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Researchers at the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) have come up with a way of making 3D printed polymeric lattice parts 100-times stronger than before.  Compared to traditional heat treatments, which strengthen plastic printed objects at the cost of deformability, the CityU approach only partially carbonizes them, to make them more robust and twice as ductile. Using their process, the team say it could be possible to realize sophisticated 3D prints with mechanical properties tailored to specific applications, such as coronary stents or bio-implants. “We found a way to convert weak and brittle 3D printed photopolymers into ultra-tough 3D architectures comparable to metals and alloys just by heating them under the right conditions, which is surprising,” says CityU Professor Lu Yang. “Our work provides a low-cost, simple and scalable route for making lightweight, strong and ductile mechanical metamaterials with virtually any geometry.” Chasing the “holy grail” of materials According…    read more 

Resin printing system manufacturer Onulis has announced the launch of the WRAPCure, a dual-function device that automatically post-cures Digital Light Processing (DLP) printed parts and repurposes waste resin.  Onulis’ original WRAP product line automatically converts used UV resin into fully-cured plastic stock, resulting in materials that can be CNC machined, and are safe for disposal as standard household waste. As such, the machine is designed to offer a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative to hazardous waste disposal methods. The new WRAPCure retains all of the sustainable waste printing features of the WRAP, but adds the ability for users to post-cure DLP parts as well.  Onulis’ WRAPCure in DLP post-cure mode. Photo via Onulis. Automating the curing workflow All DLP 3D printed parts must be post-cured to ensure desired mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy. However, when it comes to post-curing, Onulis says current options still “fall short” of user needs, hence it has…    read more