Continuously Variable Durometer 3-D Printer

Abstract

Shock and vibration mitigation is a growing concern when dealing with sensitive electronics. Current methods for mitigation are time consuming and expensive, thus Team 16077 was tasked with the development of a Variable Durometer 3-D Printer that can facilitate the implementation of shock and vibration mitigation in devices that undergo rigorous motion. A 3-D printer was modified for compatibility with a dual extruder and Diamond Hotend mixer. The printer varies the durometer (hardness) of the material it is printing by feeding two different filaments, hard and soft, through the specialized hotend at variable rates (dictated by the dual extruder). A comprehensive software package was developed to post-process existing dual extrusion G-Code. The software replaces the extrusion values for specified tool changes with the respective ratios of filament that create the necessary durometer. The printer then prints the specified part with the specified durometer in each location chosen by the user.