If it's possible to 3D print blood vessels, robots, and guns, then why shouldn't you be able to 3D print your own personal electronics? Well, now you can -- in the lab at least.
University of Warwick researchers have developed a conductive plastic composite material that can be used with unmodified, low-cost, hobbyist 3D printers to make functional electronic devices. The devices can even be custom-designed, such as tailoring a game controller to fit the shape of a particular user's hand.
The team, headed by Simon Leigh of the university's School of Engineering, says the inexpensive material, called "carbomorph," makes it possible to print out electronic tracks and sensors as part of a 3D-printed structure.
To date, the researchers have used the material to print objects with embedded flex sensors, such as a mug that can sense how full it is, or those with touch-sensitive buttons, such as a working computer game controller. The results were published in an article in the open-access journal PLOS One.
A conductive thermoplastic can be used with low-cost, hobbyist 3D printers to produce complete, customized electronic devices, such as this computer game controller.
(Source: University of Warwick)
The printer can create touch-sensitive areas in the structure that can be connected to a simple, printed circuit board.
The computer game controller was printed using a Bits from Bytes BFB3000, Leigh told Design News in an email. "It's designed to interface with an Arduino board, then it can be plugged into a PC and used to play any game on your PC," he wrote. "The idea behind it is that you could in theory customize the layout of the controller hardware to your own specification."
Leigh and his team envision the technology being used to 3D print functioning electronic devices, making those devices more individualized. This could, he says, reduce electronic waste by customizing products to make them closer to what users want, and fitting their unique needs. Another application could be embedding sensors in products and monitoring how people use them, so designers could better understand how people tactilely interact with products.
The most immediate, short-term use Leigh envisions is giving the next generation of young engineers the hands-on experience of designing and producing electronic products in the classroom with advanced manufacturing technology like 3D printing. According to Leigh, existing open-source electronics and programming libraries can be used for monitoring the printed sensors.
One of the biggest advantages to 3D printing electronics is the fact that sockets for connecting the devices to equipment, such as interface electronics, could be printed out, rather than using conductive glues or paints. That's the research team's next step: to print more complex structures and electronic components, including the wires and cables that connect the 3D printed devices to computers.
mrdon, I kind of envy you in one way. You get to mold young minds. They have no preconceived ideas. When it comes to training in the work force, people come in thinking they "know it all". I have always been humble enough to know that every place is different and has a different way of doing things. I have taken on trainees that just refuse my help....they don't last long...lol It's really discouraging to see that. It is almost like they don't think I am trying to help them...I never did get it. I would see them struggling and try to help, and they would refuse. I was NEVER like that. That's the wrong way to be in my opinion. I think you learn where you can and you never stop learning. Some people seem to think they know it all, and they are the ones that fail.
mrdon, you did and then some. I appreciate it. People learn in different ways. I can just read a book, but some need another form. Well, that's why you're a teacher and I am not. I've trained in the work force, but never taught. I'll leave that to you guys. I bet it's very rewarding!
Cadman-LT, decision making will get even more complicated when third-party materials suppliers begin emerging, as Lux Research predicts is likely: http://www.designnews.com/author.asp?section_id=1392&doc_id=262205
Cadman-LT, What I found out in teaching engineering and technology to students is basically some folks have the ability to see complex subjects (ie math), thereby grasping the subject matter with little effort. Then, there are folks who learn by rote method requiring constant practice of the subject matter using reading and self-quizzing techniques for material retention. Last, there are folks who learn by building (tactile) stuff for visualizing the solution to the problem.
Belief it or not, Common Sense is not common in our society. One of the key elements to teaching is to relate the subject to the students' personal experiences. The result of this engagement technique is to allow learning the material through self discovery facilitated by the educator. The challenge for an educator is being able to make a quick assessment of the students in the classroom and to engage them based on some of the learning modes mention. I teach 4-1/2 blocks of electronics engineering tech courses and believe me, its educational entertainment at its finest! Hope I answered your question.
mrdon, I was wondering something that maybe you can answer for me...being a teacher. Years ago I borrowed some books from a network engineer. Basically they were about policies and directories. Everything I read was stuff I knew....not from books...it's just the way I taught myself. It just made sense to do things that way. I just couldn't understand why someone would have to read a book to know this. So my question is, do some people seem to understand tech better than others? What I read...to me...was common sense...but they had to write these books for a reason. Maybe it's like math, some people just "get it" and some don't.
Ann, good point. My first deciding factor HAS to be material....go from there. Also, there used to be only a few manufacturers, but now everyone is getting in the market. I see that as a good thing though as prices are dropping.
Cadman-LT, I agree. I tell my Electrical Engineering Tech students just because you puncha bunch a numbers into a calculator and press the enter key doesn't necessarily give you the correct the answer. The potential answer needs to be checked against the original problem for proper validation.
Cadman, there are so many different 3D printers for so many different applications and material sets, that it would take me about as long as it would take you to create a list--probably longer, since I don't know what you're looking for. I suggest you search on 3D printing/printers on the DN website. We have tons of articles about lots of printers and uses.
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