Efficiency Unleashed: Design and Implementation of an Advanced Material Feeding System for Continuous Extrusion 3D Bioprinting
摘要
3D bioprinting is an advanced technology that enables the direct printing of tissues and organs, enhancing research in scaffolds, bioinks, and tissue regeneration. While current efforts focus on improving 3D bioprinter heads for accuracy, there’s a critical challenge limiting bioink volume during printing. Existing solutions face time constraints and are restricted by bio-ink capacity per cycle. To address this, this project aims to develop a continuous feeding system using peristaltic pumps. These pumps will supply materials to the bioprinter head and automatically blend two different types of materials. By regulating pump speeds and monitoring flow feedback, precise control over the mixing ratio can be achieved. Additionally, pressure sensors will track material blending within the continuous extrusion bio 3D printing heads. The feeding system demonstrates consistent accuracy across various pumping speeds, ensuring stability throughout the entire printing process. Output pressure measurements validate this reliability. Moreover, the system generates additional pressure to aid the extrusion process within the print head assembly, enhancing the screw’s extrusion capability. To further enhance control, application software has been developed, allowing management via both push buttons and a laptop interface.