Dec 5, 2018 | By Cameron
The special mechanical attributes of 3D printed parts with an internal lattice structure have been investigated and thoroughly documented in a study recently published by Fast Radius titled “Mechanical Properties of Hexagonal Lattice Structures Fabricated Using Continuous Liquid Interface Production Additive Manufacturing.”
For the study, which was a joint project with the University of Illinois, Dr. William King and co-authors David McGregor and Professor Sameh Tawfick 3D printed 84 parts in three different materials and four geometries. They then optically scanned each part and then put them through engineering stress tests. The results indicated that lattice structures, also referred to as architectured materials or mechanical metamaterials, can be reliably fabricated with 3D printing that have predictable properties. That’s a boring way of saying the parts are as strong as they should be and they’re easy to produce. Additionally, they proved they could increase the modulus and stiffness by tweaking the lattice design.
“The ability to produce lattice structures is one of the most exciting opportunities for additive manufacturing,” said Fast Radius CEO Lou Rassey. “Fast Radius sees huge demand for additively manufactured lattice components across our customers in consumer products, industrial equipment, automotive, and aerospace. With this study, we are excited to publicly demonstrate what many of our customers already know, which is that additive manufacturing is capable of producing high quality lattice components, repeatably and at scale.”
As we recently discussed, lattice structures and engineered internal infill can reduce material usage without sacrificing structural integrity and strength. There are countless industries that would benefit from incorporating lattice structures into their designs, including aerospace, medical, sporting goods, and architecture.
“Engineers and product designers are excited to use lattice components in new product designs, but a lack of understanding of production readiness has been a major obstacle,” said Dr. King, Professor of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois and Chief Scientist at Fast Radius. “We found that over a large number of lattice parts in different materials and geometries, the accuracy of the printed parts is excellent, and the mechanical properties are close to what one would expect, based on design and engineering principles. We are excited to show that this technology is growing up, and is now production worthy.”
Fast Media is not just on the right track; they’re making the track. They knew companies wanted to make lighter, more flexible parts, but there existed few hard numbers validating the technology to produce those parts. So Fast Media stepped up and got those numbers. It’s no wonder they were recently named one of the nine best factories in the world by the World Economic Forum.
Posted in 3D Printing Technology
Maybe you also like:
- Get a grip with ORIGIBOT2, a 3D printed telepresence robot
- Using plasma jets to promote bone integration with 3D printed implants
- MIT Technology Review's Erin Winick 3D prints her dream wedding
- UC San Diego's easy-to-use 3D bioprinting technique creates lifelike tissues from natural materials
- Genius: 100 Visions of the Future, world's first 3D book printed on space station
- Update: world's first 3D printed plastic bridge completed after 35 days
- Clemson researchers develop ceramic laser 3D printing technique for energy storage
- Dr. Adrian Bowyer demonstrates how hollow tubes make 3D prints stronger
- Youbionic adds 3D printed bionic arms to Boston Dynamics robot dog SpotMini
- MIT's RePaint uses AI and 3D printing to accurately reproduce paintings for your home
- CERAMBOT is the most affordable ceramic 3D printer to be Kickstarted
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
