DIMAP

The international research project DIMAP is trend-setting for additive manufacturing and the possibilities of 3D printing. Stratasys – the world leader in 3D printers – is one of twelve partners in the project. The project uses the Objet Connex 3 3D printer. The perspectives of 3D printing for industrial applications are to be demonstrated primarily by means of two use cases:

The 3D printer will be used to produce a robot arm with bio-inspired properties and lights. The project aims to lay the foundations for producing the robot arm with a wide variety of functions and the luminaires in a single 3D printing process. PROFACTOR coordinates the project and supports the development of the individual digital materials and their coordination. The focus is on the development of ceramic hybrid materials and high-strength, durable, electrically conductive and heat-resistant inks/materials. Nanotechnology plays a particularly important role in the development of materials for printing materials. PROFACTOR can draw on years of experience in the development of functional materials.

The robot arm must have the strength required for industrial use. At the same time, it must be soft and elastic so as not to endanger people when used as an assistance robot in production. The printed materials should also be as light as possible.

All bioinspired functionalities of the robot arm are also printed: electronic conductors, and the printed pneumatics of the robot arm correspond to the nerves, muscles and joints of a human arm.

Project name:
Novel nanoparticle enhanced Digital Materials for 3D Printing and their application shown for the robotic and electronic industry

Funding:
H2020-NMP-PILOTS-2015 – NMP-07-2015

Duration:
1.10.2015 – 30.09.2018

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdLCnm7bXSU&ab_channel=profactorgroup