Lithuanian company Neurotechnology's Ultrasound Research Group announces it has developed a new ultrasonic 3D printing technology. The technology enables 3D printing of virtually any object, regardless of the materials or components used.
The 3D printer uses ultrasonic manipulation, which uses ultrasonic waves to 'capture' and move small particles and components. To make this possible, the printer is equipped with a large number of ultrasonic transducers (transducers), which line the printers' side panels. These transducers can be controlled individually, making it possible to manipulate small components and even particles without having to physically touch them.
Non-contact technology
Neurotechnology then calls the technology contactless. This is significant, as this non-contact method allows highly sensitive parts to be manipulated without risking damaging them. Researchers Osvaldas Putkis of Neurotechnology's Ultrasound Research Group describes the series of transducers as a "non-contact gripper".
The use of ultrasonic manipulation has several advantages over traditional mechanical methods. For example, ultrasonic manipulation:
- can be used to manipulate particles and components with widely varying mechanical properties and shapes. These include metals, foams and liquids, as well as complete electronic components.
- suitable for particles and components of almost any size, from a few millimetres to sub-millimetre level.
- capable of manipulating very small components without using electrostatic forces.
- can be used to manipulate highly sensitive parts without causing damage.
Highly versatile
"Ultrasonic manipulation can handle a very wide range of materials, including metals, plastics and even liquids," Putkis said. "Not only can it manipulate particles, it is also suitable for components with different shapes. Other non-contact methods such as methods based on magnetism or electrostatic forces cannot offer this versatility." In addition, the technology is highly accurate. If 40KHz ultrasound is used, it is possible to achieve an accuracy of a few tenths of a micron.
To demonstrate the operation of their 3D printer, the Ultrasound Research Group has developed a prototype printer. The video below shows the printer in action:
The demonstration shows how the prototype deploys a series of ultrasonic transducers to correctly position electronic components on a circuit board to be assembled. To ensure that the components are accurately placed in the correct position, a camera is deployed to continuously image the exact position of the circuit board of the electronic components. A laser is then used to solder the electronic components onto the PCB, without physical contact.
Source: Neurotechnology
