3D-Printed Objects for Multipurpose Applications

Abstract

3D printing is a popular nonconventional manufacturing technique used to print 3D objects by using conventional and nonconventional materials. The application and uses of 3D printing are rapidly increasing in each dimension of the engineering and medical sectors. This article overviews the multipurpose applications of 3D printing based on current research. In the beginning, various popular methods including fused deposition method, stereolithography 3D printing method, powder bed fusion method, digital light processing method, and metal transfer dynamic method used in 3D printing are discussed. Popular materials utilized randomly in printing techniques such as hydrogel, ABS, steel, silver, and epoxy are overviewed. Engineering applications under the current development of the printing technique which include electrode, 4D printing technique, twisting object, photosensitive polymer, and engines are focused. Printing of medical equipment including artificial tissues, scaffolds, bioprinted model, prostheses, surgical instruments, COVID-19, skull, and heart is of major focus. Characterization techniques of the printed 3D products are mentioned. In addition, potential challenges and future prospects are evaluated based on the current scenario. This review article will work as a masterpiece for the researchers interested to work in this field.

Keywords: 3D printed; challenges; characterization; medical applications; printing applications; simulation.

Fig. 1

Thermal recovery of 4D functionally graded model (Ref 56). Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Fig. 2

Schematic illustration of the bioprinting process (Ref 58). Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Fig. 3

Computational design and percolation evaluation of 3D conductor and experimental percolation threshold of 3D conductor (a) SEM image of 0.3 Vol. % AgNW in CMC, (b) SEM image of 1.9 Vol. % AgNW in CMC (Ref 75). Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Fig. 4

(a) Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) of fabricated metal nanostructures (Ref 84), (b) CryoTEM image of a pristine PEDOT: PSS solution (Ref 85). Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Fig. 5

Computational and experimental analysis of the mechanical characteristics of the winkle and the bellows' shapes. (a) Contour plot (0.2) MPa radial–directional pressure and deformed configuration, (b) pressure results comparison at each point A, A′, (c) bending moment (40 N.mm) contour plot, (d) bending moment results comparison at each point B, B′, (e) 3D-printed recovering test of 2-layer pore construct, (f) stress–strain responses of the scaffolds (2-, 3-layer pore/nonpore), (g) ultimate strength comparison, (h) Young’s modulus comparison (Ref 86). Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Fig. 6

(a) Analyzing the Saffman-Taylor finger criteria for the bonding quality in a microchannel versus various flow rates. (b) Shear rate distribution across a line parallel to the channel width. (c) The more the pressure, the faster the creation of Saffman-Taylor fingers (Ref 87). Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/