EPFL develops high-precision 30 second laser 3D printing method

researchers at EPFL, europe’s most prominent science and technology institution, have developed a groundbreaking 3D printing method that can produce small and accurate prints in record time. within just 30 seconds, the process is capable of printing high-precision models with an accuracy of 80 micrometers. the innovative technology shows promising potential in various industries, mainly in 3D bio-printing and dentistry. the swiss research team has published its findings in the journal nature communications, and a spin-off, readily3D, has been set up to develop and market the system.

all images by EPFL

while regular 3D printing practices may take hours building layer by layer, this new EPFL technology utilizes laser beams to build models as a whole from all surfaces. filled with translucent liquid developed by laboratory of applied photonics devices (LAPD), a cylinder container spins as laser is injected to harden the surfaces of the desired model. based on the principles of tomography, the method is mainly used for medical imaging and surface scanning.

‘it’s all about the light,’ explains paul delrot, readily3D’s CTO. ‘the laser hardens the liquid through a process of polymerization. depending on what we’re building, we use algorithms to calculate exactly where we need to aim the beams, from what angles, and at what dose.’

of all advantages over existing methods, the ground breaking 3D printing technique is also able to print solid parts of different textures. this allows the medicine and biology industry to print customized soft objects such as tissue, organs, hearing aid and mouthguard.

‘conventional 3D printing techniques, known as additive manufacturing, build parts layer by layer,’ explains damien loterie, the CEO of readily3D. ‘the problem is that soft objects made that way quickly fall apart.’

project info:

institution: EPFL (ecole polytechnique fédérale de lausanne)