Investigation on the Four-axis Multi-material Simultaneous 3D Printing Based on Rotating Nozzle

doi:10.3901/JME.260254

Abstract

Abstract: A four-axis multi-material simultaneous 3D printing based on rotating nozzle is proposed. A print head with three nozzle micro-holes is introduced to print three types of materials simultaneously. In addition, a rotation motion freedom is introduced to avoid the overlapping and interference of the three materials during the printing process. Based on this idea, a multi-material extrusion print head and four-axis simultaneous printing machine are developed. Pluronic F127 is selected as the material to test the printing process and inks with appropriate rheological properties are prepared. The effects of printing pressures, scanning velocity, and layer thickness are investigated. The printing parameters are optimized and multi-material structures with good shapes and geometries are obtained. Furthermore, the printing process is validated by printing various complex geometries. The four-axis multi-material simultaneous 3D printing process proposed in this study can be utilized to fabricate multi-material functional devices in one-step, and push forward the applications of 3D printing in the fabrication of complex functional multi-material devices.

Key words: 3D printing, multi-axis, multi-material, process investigation

CLC Number:

TG156

LIU Changyong, WU Huaian, LI Chen, HUANG Kehao, LIU Zhiyuan, CHEN Zhangwei, ZHANG Lei. Investigation on the Four-axis Multi-material Simultaneous 3D Printing Based on Rotating Nozzle[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2026, 62(5): 399-407.

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URL: http://www.cjmenet.com.cn/EN/10.3901/JME.260254

http://www.cjmenet.com.cn/EN/Y2026/V62/I5/399

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