研究

欧盟Ampere项目旨在为机电公司开发可扩展的4D打印过程

德国电子3D打印公司Neotech Amthas announced the launch of a new EU-backedPenta项目Ampere它正在寻求开发可靠且可扩展的混合添加剂制造过程,以生产多功能的4D机电系统。

机电一体化是指工程分支,将电子,电气和机械工程系统汇集在一起​​,包括机器人技术,电子,计算机和电信等组合。

Meanwhile, 4D printing is a nascent process by which a 3D printed object transforms itself into another structure over time as a result of an external energy input like temperature or light.

To combine and develop these two emerging ideas, a consortium of 10 leading research and industrial partners from Germany and the Netherlands have come together for the AMPERE project, which will run until March 31st, 2024.

“The AMPERE project is a hugely exciting and ambitious project in the field of AM and will generate substantial business benefits,” said Dr. Martin Hedges, Managing Director of Neotech. “The project will enable unique product designs, that for the first time combine mechanical, electrical and optical functionalities produced at the industrial scale.

“Furthermore, the flexible nature of the developed production systems will allow faster response to changes in the market and open up new application areas for this emerging technology.”

Fully additively manufactured luminaire as part of the Penta project. Image via Neotech AMT.
Fully additively manufactured luminaire as part of the Penta project. Image via Neotech AMT.

Neotech’s previous project engagement

Neotech has previously从事几个项目以推进3D打印。One of these focused on the development of hybrid manufacturing techniques for 3D printed polymers and 3D printed electronics, while another explored the printing of ceramic substrates as a compliment to electronics 3D printing.

The company also presented its“完全添加” 3D打印电子设备at RapidTec in 2019, which were equipped with electronics functionality both externally and embedded within the device’s 3D printed body.

Most recently, Neotech launched a joint project with the TAMS-group at theUniversity of Hamburgto develop an artificial intelligence (AI) drivenquality assurance system for 3D printed electronics。该项目旨在为闭环铺平道路control for hybrid additive manufacturing processes and the reduction of printing errors.

3D MID Sensor Circuit. Filling level sensor constructed from Ag on PA6 with added SMDs. Image via Neotech AMT.
3D MID Sensor Circuit. Filling level sensor constructed from Ag on PA6 with added SMDs. Image via Neotech AMT.

开发可扩展的4D打印

The consortium partners are working together under the Penta project’s AMPERE call to address the challenges created by the rapid development of the global digital economy through the creation of new technological innovations.

Penta is guided by the Electronic Components & Systems (ECS) Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), and is focused on accelerating scalable digital 4D manufacturing to bring the reliable production of smart systems for lighting, signal and power electronics, and medical devices closer.

Joining Neotech in the consortium is theEindhoven University of Technology,Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.,Philips Electronics Nederland BV,Reden BV,Signify,TNO,VSL BV,Wurth Elektronic GmbH, 和XENON Automation GmbH

Over the duration of the AMPERE project, the 10-strong consortium will embark upon developing and combining additive manufacturing technologies for the production of such smart 4D mechatronic products.

The goal is to develop these technologies to be both robust and scalable, capable of facilitating the manufacture of small series and mass customized products as well as high production volumes of more than 10,000 parts.

The products created during the project will feature a combination of integrated mechanical, electrical and optical functionalities, and will be equipped with what Neotech describes as “smart processes”.

The consortium partners will demonstrate their developed hybrid manufacturing approaches through three mechatronic product case studies. They will produce LED luminaires, signal and power electronics, and medical devices using their developed processes.

A circuit board created using 3D printing technology. Image via Neotech.
A circuit board created using 3D printing technology. Image via Neotech.

Advancements in 4D printing

当3D打印对象的形状随时间变化时,称为4D打印。随着研究人员,4D印刷仍然非常新生阶段,4D印刷已越来越成为多项研究的主题seek to improve and understand the processin order to unlock its potential applications.

In March last year, theSingapore University of Technology and Design(SUTD) and南南技术大学(NTU)进行了一个研究项目,最终达到3D打印材料改变其形状back and forth without external force.

Meanwhile, researchers fromRice University在德克萨斯州开发了一种新方法,以增加控制shape-shifting materials in 4D printing。该技术允许操纵3D打印对象,以在暴露于温度,电流或压力变化时采用其他形式。

Elsewhere, a team of researchers fromLinköping University生产了一套用于软微生物制的微隔离器配备4D功能。3D打印的执行器包含一种电动聚合物,该聚合物在打印后会改变形状,研究人员认为他们的工作显示出低成本3D印刷微型机器人技术的巨大潜力。

可逆的4D打印结构。通过Sutd的照片。
可逆的4D打印结构。通过Sutd的照片。

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特色图片显示作为PENTA项目的一部分,完全合并制造的照明器。图片通过Neotech AMT。