Evaluation of polymeric materials for 3D printing applications

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

ORD Solutions is a leading company in object replication and design. It is a technology-driven company set on pushing the envelope of 3D printing capabilities. Their goal is to deliver on such technological advancements that redefine how 3D printing is considered in the Additive Manufacturing space. ORD Solutions design, manufacture, and sell 3D printers, accessories, and consumables to a worldwide market. Their 3D printers are manufactured in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada and they are targeted at businesses that want rapid prototyping capabilities and small production run manufacturing. Their products are also in demand by serious hobbyists, commonly known as "Makers". ORD Solutions started in 2010 with the idea to develop the most dynamic, fastest, and durable 3D printer that could be designed. These printers are continuously improving at printing more accurately at higher speeds. However, some limitations exist due to material flow properties of the filaments, nozzle design and the cooling speed required to solidify the extruded molten filament. ORD Solutions would like to experiment with several new filament types and the knowledge of their flow and thermal properties would be critical in nozzle design in order to increase printing speeds. The proposed research program will enable them to evaluate such polymeric resins by measuring their shear viscosity and flow instabilities as well as their melting and crystallization or solidification properties. Using research expertise available at the University of Waterloo, the proposed research program will enable ORD Solutions to develop a methodology to systematically evaluate potential 3D printing materials as they become commercially available. The proposed research project has the potential to generate new knowledge/technology/materials that could benefit technically and economically ORD Solutions by allowing them to develop new high value-added 3D printing products at significant cost benefits. Such development will lead to increased market share, potential creation of jobs and will benefit the economy of Ontario and Canada.