Functional additive fabrication of simple sensor systems

Funktionale Additive Fertigung

Summary

The additive fabrication of objects with electrical or magnetic functionality is still a challenge especially for smaller dimensions. We combine different 3D and screen printing techniques to showcase the possibilities of simply printing custom sensor elements and ‘smart’ parts.

Project description:

While additive manufacturing is revolutionizing product developments in many fields, in this project we are investigating simple methods to take advantage of this rapid progress for sensor systems and smart materials. In our case we use 3D printing primarily to build application specific part geometries and combine different techniques to integrate electrical, magnetic or elastic functionality. For example, many layer-by-layer processes are limited to a single material per part. Here, the added functionality can be embedded during or after the printing process using screen printing of functional elements on thin foils or directly on the 3D object. This allows simple, rapid, and low-cost production of small batches of custom parts for measuring, e. g., forces, acceleration, pressure or temperature.

Contact

Prof. Dr.-Ing. M. Vellekoop 
IMSAS, NW1, Raum O2140
Tel.: +49 421 218 62604

 

 

Selected Publications:

D. Gräbner, S. Dödtmann, G. Dumstorff, and F. Lucklum, “3-D-printed smart screw: functionalization during additive fabrication”, J. Sens. Sens. Syst. 7 (2018) 143. DOI:10.5194/jsss-7-143-2018

M. Tintelott, D. Gräbner, G. Dumstorff, and F. Lucklum, “Flexible printed pressure sensor integrated into inner wall of a 3D tube using additive manufacturing”, IEEE Sensors Conf. (2017). DOI:10.1109/ICSENS.2017.8233928

D. Gräbner, G. Dumstorff, and F. Lucklum, “3D Printed Machine Parts: Functionalization During Additive Fabrication”, Proc. AMA SENSOR (2017) 438. DOI:10.5162/sensor2017/D1.4

F. Lucklum and G. Dumstorff, “3D Printed Pressure Sensor with Screen-Printed Resistive Read-Out”, IEEE Sensors Conf. (2016) 682. DOI:10.1109/ICSENS.2016.7808633

F. Lucklum, S. Janssen, W. Lang, and M. J. Vellekoop, “Miniature 3D gas chromatography columns with integrated fluidic connectors using high-resolution stereolithography fabrication”, Procedia Eng. 120, Eurosensors XXIX (2015) 1095. DOI:10.1016/j.proeng.2015.08.761

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