Sep.4, 2013
Cambridge-based, the Queen's Award winning technology and product development company TTP has today announced its ground breaking Vista 3D, a new 3D print head that is capable of printing with more than one material.
Unlike existing 3D printing solutions, the Vista 3D print heads can dispense or print both organic and inorganic materials, including ceramics, metals, plastics, enzymes, and even biological cells. It opens up the possibility of printing products as diverse as toys, medical devices, aircraft parts and even diagnostic test strips at the touch of one button.
"Our latest breakthrough will change the face of manufacturing over the next ten years." said TTP's Dr David Smith. "The manufacturing process has remained the same for centuries with one company making products in a factory then shipping them out when orders are made. Multimaterial 3D printing will change this. No longer will organisations need to bulk buy or wait for items to be restocked, companies can simply print off the products they need, when they need them."
TTP has a wealth of experience in designing microdevices from passive optical components for telecoms or display applications through to micro-mechanical devices for air and fluid pumping and droplet generation. The TTP's patented Vista digital deposition technology relies on a breakthrough method in droplet injection, and it can print large (50 µm+) particles and more viscous and volatile fluids.
The open printhead architecture and nozzle motion to eject fluids makes it possible to digitally print those commercially attractive materials, TTP explains. Such features also allow Vista to exhibit a much better reliability than has been possible for inkjet technology previously.
The technology is compatible with a broad range of complex fluids including suspensions of particles and active biological materials. It enables new, disruptive, non-contact manufacturing processes for applications that range from 'printed' electronics and protein arrays through to enzyme based test strips.
"From a medical perspective, the opportunities are endless from printing out a diagnostic test to ultimately printing off an organ that can be used in the human body." claimed Dr Smith.
Posted in 3D Printer Accessories
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further information resource?
joe @ evok3d.com wrote at 9/8/2013 6:27:44 AM:
This is huge, I just wonder how long until its commercialised?
Ben wrote at 9/5/2013 8:35:26 PM:
the animated gif on their site seems to imply a very wide print strip. depositing an 1" or so wide!?! It's not only amazing it looks fast too.
harguinxx wrote at 9/5/2013 11:55:46 AM:
da fuck???!!! if that is true they have just changed the world!!!!
Proteus wrote at 9/5/2013 3:47:06 AM:
Where can I buy one and what exactly does it print in?
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