FURI | Fall 2022

Vat Photopolymerization of Smart Meta-Structures with Highly Removable and Recyclable Supportable Polymers

Vat photopolymerization technology can print three-dimensional objects with high precision and fast speed. For interlocked structures, a significant amount of additional support is required in order to ensure the overhanging and free-hanging features can be fabricated. However, internal supports cannot be directly removed, and it is time-consuming to manually remove supports. In addition, unexpected damage and undesired surface marks will be generated by the removal of the supports. In this research, functional interlocked structures are printed with highly removable and recyclable supports using vat photopolymerization. Research tasks including material preparation, parameter setting, material recycling, and performance evaluation are conducted.