Development of a Solvent-cast Direct-write 3D Printer System for Polymeric Stent Fabrication
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15282/mekatronika.v7i2.12643Keywords:
3D printer, Polymeric stent, Solvent-cast printing, Direct-write printingAbstract
Polymeric stents can be produced using three-dimensional (3D) printing methods. The most commonly used 3D printer is fused deposition modeling (FDM), as it is cost-effective and easy to use. However, the solvent-cast printing (SCP) method has more advantages as it offers material versatility and can print products with complex geometries. Combining these two techniques to build a solvent-cast direct-write 3D printer will enable better production of polymeric stents. This study proposes a concept for creating a solvent-cast direct-write 3D printer by combining FDM and SCP 3D printing systems, aiming to enhance the production of polymeric stents. However, some challenges need to be addressed. Firstly, stents have complex network-like structures that require support during the printing process. Secondly, the stent will have a better quality if the polymeric material is printed from its solvent form. Therefore, three design concepts for the printing axis and printer nozzle are proposed and carefully selected to tackle the challenges. Then, to test the 3D printer, a sample stent is fabricated using thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Even though the 3D printer has several limitations, it is the initial step for designing an affordable way to fabricate in-house medical stents.
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