International Workshop Participants Assemble High-Resolution 3D Printers
Outcome/Accomplishment
The first-ever international workshop was held on Melt Electrowriting (MEW), a microfabrication technique with the potential to manufacture implantable medical devices. The workshop was promoted and hosted by the NSF-funded Hybrid Autonomous Manufacturing–Moving from Evolution to Revolution (NSF HAMMER), an Engineering Research Center (ERC) headquartered at The Ohio State University.
Impact/Benefits
Besides reinforcing fundamental concepts of mechanics, electronics, and programming, the workshop enabled participants to return to their respective universities with the printers to continue developing high-impact products based on their research.
Explanation/Background
Students and faculty from five universities assembled their own MEWron printers, converting standard 3D printers into high-resolution devices capable of printing microscale polymer fibers for tissue engineering and bio-fabrication.
Nine participants traveled to NSF HAMMER headquarters in Columbus, Ohio to build their own “SpiderMEW” PET-FAB and learn how to use the melt electrowriting process. Participants shared how they will use their SpiderMEW to supplement their research and teaching, thereby demonstrating the efficacy of this system as an educational platform.
PET-FABs are small-scale, low-cost, and open-source manufacturing platforms intended for educational and training use. Building these the systems provided participants with hands-on experience with manufacturing that might not otherwise be available to them.
Location
Columbus, Ohiowebsite
Start Year
Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced Manufacturing
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Outcome/Accomplishment
The first-ever international workshop was held on Melt Electrowriting (MEW), a microfabrication technique with the potential to manufacture implantable medical devices. The workshop was promoted and hosted by the NSF-funded Hybrid Autonomous Manufacturing–Moving from Evolution to Revolution (NSF HAMMER), an Engineering Research Center (ERC) headquartered at The Ohio State University.
Location
Columbus, Ohiowebsite
Start Year
Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced Manufacturing
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Impact/benefits
Besides reinforcing fundamental concepts of mechanics, electronics, and programming, the workshop enabled participants to return to their respective universities with the printers to continue developing high-impact products based on their research.
Explanation/Background
Students and faculty from five universities assembled their own MEWron printers, converting standard 3D printers into high-resolution devices capable of printing microscale polymer fibers for tissue engineering and bio-fabrication.
Nine participants traveled to NSF HAMMER headquarters in Columbus, Ohio to build their own “SpiderMEW” PET-FAB and learn how to use the melt electrowriting process. Participants shared how they will use their SpiderMEW to supplement their research and teaching, thereby demonstrating the efficacy of this system as an educational platform.
PET-FABs are small-scale, low-cost, and open-source manufacturing platforms intended for educational and training use. Building these the systems provided participants with hands-on experience with manufacturing that might not otherwise be available to them.