3D Printer for Advanced Materials and Structures Research

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This proposal requests funding from NSERC RTI program for the AM1+ 3D printer from Cosine Additive. This 3D printer is compatible with both filament and pellet extrusion systems and is large format, servo controlled and open architecture. These features are key to support a wide range of research projects from fundamental materials development to applied processing and structural optimization for a large range of applications. The AM1+ 3D printer is compatible with open market materials with both filament and pellet feedstock. The materials that can be printed range from environment-friendly polymers (e.g. polylactic acid, PLA) to technical polymers like polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or nylons. A heated table combined with a heated chamber enhance dimensional control of the printed parts. The large print size (1100 mm x 850 mm x 850 mm) will enable to print a wide range of geometries and even structural components. The requested printer will support researchers from the Faculties of Engineering and Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. With the requested 3D printer, novel manufacturing techniques will be developed, new materials for additive manufacturing from recycled composites will be engineered, advanced light-weight materials inspired by nature will we create, future additive manufacturing optimization protocols will be investigated, and novel surgical devices conceived via finite element optimization will be designed. The requested 3D printer will impact a large number of undergraduate, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Between the research programs supported, it is estimated that 40-50 per year senior highly qualified personnel will use the 3D printer for their research.