Chalcogenide glass was first used for 3D printing components

The developed technique of 3D printing with chalcogenide glass promises the production of complex glass components, including optical fibers, suitable for the construction of inexpensive sensors. It is also permissible to manufacture a wide range of telecommunications components and biomedical devices.

How did you learn to print with glass?

Canadian University of Laval specialists in the scientific press described in detail the modification of a commercially available 3D printer for glass extrusion. The innovative method is based on the simulation technology of surfacing, when the molten plastic filament is extruded in layers, thus creating detailed three-dimensional objects.

This type of 3D printing of optical reinforcement is a new way in the design and composition of materials used in the future production of photonic equipment and optical fibers. An innovative technique potentially predicts a breakthrough in the field of manufacturing effective infrared optical systems. At the same time low production costs are guaranteed.

Chalcogenide glass has a characteristic softening property in relatively low temperatures, when compared with other types of glass. Given this moment, a group of research engineers brought the maximum extrusion temperature limit of a 3D printer from 260 ° C to 330 ° C. This is the optimal extrusion boundary for chalcogenide glass.

Next, chalcogenide glass yarns were produced, corresponding in size characteristics to a similar material - industrial-grade plastic yarns, which have long been considered traditional raw materials for 3D printers. Finally, the printing equipment was equipped with software designed to create a pair of samples of complex shapes.

What did the experimental print tests show? Experiments have shown a good approach for working with soft chalcogenide glass. However, the research team did not stop the work, continuing to explore alternative approaches for printing with another type of glass. The possible use of other types of glass will make it possible to manufacture components of the hybrid structure.

Theoretically, glass does not exclude combining with polymers endowed with specialized electrically conductive or optical properties. In this way, 3D printing is permissible to master the production of multifunctional devices.

Currently, a research engineering group is trying to improve the design of the printer. The ultimate goal is to increase the productivity of the device, as well as the perfection of technical support for the additive production of parts of complex configuration based on chalcogenide glass.

It is also planned to add in the design of new extruders for joint printing with polymers in order to obtain the possibility of developing multicomponent objects.

Source: https://zetsila.ru