Distributed Manufacturing of Open-Source Medical Hardware for Pandemics

Pearce, Joshua M.

doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0054.v1

Cited by 29 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 101 publications

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“…To further demonstrate the feasibility of using rPET to 3D print a high-demand object [ 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 ], the Gigabot X was used to 3D print a face shield as shown in Figure 15 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards Distributed Recycling with Additive Manufacturing of PET Flake Feedstocks

et al. 2020

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This study explores the potential to reach a circular economy for post-consumer Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (rPET) packaging and bottles by using it as a Distributed Recycling for Additive Manufacturing (DRAM) feedstock. Specifically, for the first time, rPET water bottle flake is processed using only an open source toolchain with Fused Particle Fabrication (FPF) or Fused Granular Fabrication (FGF) processing rather than first converting it to filament. In this study, first the impact of granulation, sifting, and heating (and their sequential combination) is quantified on the shape and size distribution of the rPET flakes. Then 3D printing tests were performed on the rPET flake with two different feed systems: an external feeder and feed tube augmented with a motorized auger screw, and an extruder-mounted hopper that enables direct 3D printing. Two Gigabot X machines were used, each with the different feed systems, and one without and the latter with extended part cooling. 3D print settings were optimized based on thermal characterization, and both systems were shown to 3D print rPET directly from shredded water bottles. Mechanical testing showed the importance of isolating rPET from moisture and that geometry was important for uniform extrusion. The mechanical strength of 3D-printed parts with FPF and inconsistent flow is lower than optimized fused filament, but adequate for a wide range of applications. Future work is needed to improve consistency and enable water bottles to be used as a widespread DRAM feedstock.

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“…To further demonstrate the feasibility of using rPET to 3D print a high-demand object [ 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 ], the Gigabot X was used to 3D print a face shield as shown in Figure 15 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards Distributed Recycling with Additive Manufacturing of PET Flake Feedstocks

et al. 2020

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“…Overhanging edges can be further improved by a smaller nozzle and this would also solve the printing issues seen in Figure 12B. To further demonstrate the feasibility of using rPET to print a high demand object [77][78][79][80], the Gigabot X was used to print a face shield as shown in Figure 13.…”

Section: Example Printmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards Distributed Recycling with Additive Manufacturing of PET Flake Feedstocks

Little¹,

Tanikella²,

Reich³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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This study explores the potential to reach a circular economy for post-consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) packaging and bottles by using it as a distributed recycling for additive manufacturing (DRAM) feedstock. Specifically, rPET is processed using only an open source toolchain with fused particle fabrication (FPF) or fused granular fabrication (FGF) processing. In this study, first the impact of granulation, sifting and heating (and their combination) is quantified on the shape and size distribution of the rPET flakes. Then feeding studies were performed to see if they could be printed through an external feeder or needed to be direct printed with a hopper using two Gigabot X machines, one with extended part cooling and one without. Print settings were optimized based on thermal characterization and for the latter which was shown to print rPET directly from shredded water bottles mechanical testing is performed. The results showed that geometry was important for extended feeding tubes and direct printed using a hopper. Further there is a wide disparity in the physical properties of rPET from water bottles depending on source and the history of the material. Future work is needed to enable water bottles to be used as a widespread DRAM feedstock.

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“…By being able to fabricate a digital scale from low-cost base components, most of which are widely available, scientists, educators, and medical staff can avoid these additional costs and gain access to the tool. Secondly, the most extreme cases, when countries are in desperate need for a wide range of medical/scientific equipment such as currently underway during the COVID-19 pandemic [107], there are even export bans [108] that would limit scientific access to tools. Personal fabrication overcomes such bans.…”

Section: Range/repeatability Serial Capabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Open Source Digitally Replicable Lab-Grade Scales

Hubbard¹,

Pearce²

2020

Preprint

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This study provides designs for a low-cost, easily replicable open source lab-grade digital scale that can be used as a precision balance. The design is such that it can be manufactured for use in most labs throughout the world with open source RepRap-class material extrusion-based 3-D printers for the mechanical components and readily available open source electronics including the Arduino Nano. Several versions of the design were fabricated and tested for precision and accuracy for a range of load cells. The results showed the open source scale was found to be repeatable within 0.1g with multiple load cells, with even better precision (0.01g) depending on load cell range and style. The scale tracks linearly with proprietary lab-grade scales, meeting the performance specified in the load cell data sheets, indicating that it is accurate across the range of the load cell installed. The smallest loadcell tested(100g) offers precision on the order of a commercial digital mass balance. The scale can be produced at significant cost savings compared to scales of comparable range and precision when serial capability is present. The cost savings increase significantly as the range of the scale increases and are particularly well-suited for resource-constrained medical and scientific facilities.

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Distributed Manufacturing of Open-Source Medical Hardware for Pandemics

Cited by 29 publications

References 101 publications

Towards Distributed Recycling with Additive Manufacturing of PET Flake Feedstocks

Towards Distributed Recycling with Additive Manufacturing of PET Flake Feedstocks

Towards Distributed Recycling with Additive Manufacturing of PET Flake Feedstocks

Open Source Digitally Replicable Lab-Grade Scales

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