MIT engineers achieve a breakthrough by 3D printing electromagnets, opening new possibilities for electronics manufacturing.
The modified printing process demonstrates the potential for creating complex electronic devices with enhanced efficiency and performance.
MIT Engineers Pioneer 3D Printing of Electromagnets, Paving the Way for Revolutionary Electronics Manufacturing.
A team of MIT engineers has made significant strides in the field of 3D printing by successfully printing electromagnets, the fundamental components of numerous electronic devices. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize electronics manufacturing both on Earth and in space.
The ability to print electromagnets directly could usher in a new era of electronics manufacturing, enabling the creation of complex devices with unprecedented ease and efficiency. Imagine the possibility of fabricating entire medical equipment such as dialysis machines solely through 3D printing. This advancement holds immense promise, particularly in regions where access to such equipment is limited, and in space environments where resources are scarce.
Solenoids and electromagnets, comprising coils wound around a core, serve as the building blocks for various electronic devices. MIT engineers modified a commercial 3D printer with multiple extruders to print volumetric electromagnets in a single print cycle, eliminating the need for assembly and reducing potential errors.
To achieve this feat, scientists modernized the extruders and developed methods to regulate the temperature of each one. The printing material included plastic with metal inclusions for the conductive wire and two types of plastic with interspersed magnetic material for the core. Through experimentation, engineers successfully printed electromagnets with eight winding layers, producing magnetic fields significantly stronger than those of traditional 3D-printed electromagnets.
While the cost of upgrading a printer for electromagnet printing was $4000, the gained experience suggests that future iterations will be more cost-effective. This advancement showcases the potential of extrusion-based 3D printing methods for complex, multilayered structures, offering a glimpse into the future of electronics manufacturing.
