Custom 3D Printer

Custom 3D Printer:

I designed and built a 3D printer specifically to use in my graduation thesis. The thesis focused on mixing calcium, hydroxyapatite powder, and PLA to create a complex in granule form. This complex was intended to replace platinum in cases of severe bone fractures. The material would be 3D printed to match the shape and size of the fractured bone and placed as a substitute. Over time, the remaining bone would integrate with the printed structure, consuming its components to support the growth of new bone tissue. However, the composite was not yet approved for human use at the time.

I printed test samples and conducted various tests, including pressure tests, tensile tests, and corrosion tests. To achieve this, I developed two printing heads for the printer. The first head used a standard nozzle and heater for printing filament, while the second consisted of a granule depot, an extruder, a electrical resistance heater, and a 1.75 mm nozzle specifically designed for printing granules.