Fused Deposition Modelling and Melt Electrowriting of Metallic Tubes

This project focuses on developing polymer 3D printing technologies, specifically Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Melt Electrowriting (MEW), to fabricate both flat and cylindrical structures with complex geometries using filaments with a 90 weight % of metal content rather than traditional plastic filaments. The first objective is to adapt FDM for these metallic composite filaments on tubular surfaces, addressing challenges such as achieving consistent layer adhesion and optimizing parameters, including extrusion rate, printhead speed, and nozzle-collector distance. Progress has been made in overcoming technical hurdles, such as adhesion issues and system stability, to enable high-quality prints on curved surfaces. The second focus lies in refining the MEW process for metallic composite filaments, leveraging its ability to produce high-precision microstructures. This phase emphasizes fine-tuning printing parameters and material behavior during MEW, ensuring consistent deposition quality for potential applications in biomedical and electronic industries. By combining parameter optimization, material testing, and software improvements, this project establishes the groundwork for future methods to manufacture metallic components with high precision and complexity.