Multi-nozzle 3D printer based on extrusion technology

WU Tian-jun, ZHANG Xiang-lin, ZHANG Wan-cheng, CHEN Peng-hua, ZHANG Chuang
(School of Material Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430047, China)

Abstract: Aiming at the problem of multimaterial and gradient in tissue engineering 3D printing, the function of nozzle temperature control, the function of deposition table cooling ,the nozzle switching method and the control system were investigated, a multinozzle 3D Bioprinter based on extrusion technology was proposed. Semiconductor cooling sheet and polyimide heating film were applied to the nozzle for temperature control design. The nozzle switching structure was designed with screw and ultralow temperature deposition table was designed. Test on the multinozzle 3D Bioprinter was done by using carboxymethyl cellulose sodium hydrogel material. The results indicate that multinozzle 3D Bioprinter enables multinozzle 3D printing of multimaterial and gradient complex models, and printing accuracy meets the needs of biological tissue engineering which lays a foundation for achieving high bionic 3D structure.
Key words: tissue engineering; extrusion deposition; 3D printing; multi-nozzle