Vat Polymerization Fundamentals

The primary disadvantages are reduced mechanical strength and limited material choices.

Two-photon lithography has a resolution of less than 1 µm, allowing for the production of finer structures compared to conventional stereolithography, which typically achieves around 100 µm.

Applications in the automotive industry include functional parts, prototype tooling patterns, and components for metal castings.

<p>The key components include monomers, photoinitiators, absorbents, and fillers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Scanning MSL and projection MSL.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>An advantage is the ability to create complex geometries, while a disadvantage is the limited choice of materials.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It allows for high geometrical flexibility and direct fabrication without a mask.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Current research is focusing on improving resolution and expanding material types to enhance application potential.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Optical waveguides are critical in directing light, making them essential in many micro-optical applications.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They must be transparent in visible and near-infrared regions and have a fast curing speed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Post-processing may include cleaning, curing, and finishing to ensure better mechanical properties and surface quality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Approximately 100 nm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polymers and ceramics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Microstereolithography achieves a resolution of 1-10 µm, which is significantly finer than the ~100 µm resolution of traditional stereolithography.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Micro-needles allow for minimally invasive drug delivery methods and improve patient comfort during procedures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They induce intense nonlinear processes without thermal damage to the sample and are easy to operate and maintain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It can be more complex and expensive compared to traditional lithography methods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Parts usually exhibit high resolution and smooth surface finish.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Research includes improving material properties and expanding applications in biomedicine and flexible electronics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>One-photon excitation involves single photon absorption, while two-photon excitation requires simultaneous absorption of two photons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Stereolithography (SL) utilizes a laser beam to selectively cure a liquid photopolymer resin, achieving a resolution of approximately 100 µm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Microstereolithography (MSL) offers higher resolution, ranging from 1 to 10 µm, and can utilize both point-by-point scanning and integral curing methods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Two-photon lithography allows for resolutions lower than 1 µm, enabling the fabrication of highly detailed structures and features.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Vat polymerization is commonly used in 3D printing and the production of medical devices, such as dental models and prosthetics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Advantages include high precision and the ability to create complex structures rapidly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>One disadvantage is the limited choice of materials, as only specific resin types can be used effectively in the process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Main components include monomers like acrylate and epoxy, photoinitiators, neutral absorbers, and various additives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>One required property is photosensitivity at the operating wavelength, which allows the resin to respond effectively to light exposure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Current research is focused on improving the materials used to enhance photosensitivity and reduce shrinkage during polymerization.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Additives, including fillers and surfactants, enhance the properties of the resin, such as viscosity and surface finish.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Stereolithography offers robust materials with good surface finishes, a large build volume, and high accuracy (±0.05mm). It is also an established process with reliable hardware, software, and materials.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Stereolithography faces issues with volumetric shrinkage (6-7%) and potential curl distortion of the final prints.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Stereolithography uses free-radical polymerization, characterized by the initiation, propagation, and termination stages of polymer chain formation. This method is sensitive to oxygen inhibition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In the working curve equation, the exposure energy (E) is directly proportional to the cure depth (Cd) as it influences the rate of polymerization. A higher exposure energy leads to greater cure depth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Vat polymerization techniques, such as stereolithography, are used in prototyping, biomedical devices, and intricate component manufacturing in industries like automotive and aerospace.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Support structures are essential to prevent de-lamination, cantilever curl, and assist with the stability of overhanging features during the build process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Laser intensity and velocity must be optimized to ensure sufficient curing of the resin, as they directly affect the effectiveness of the polymerization process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Micro-stereolithography fabricates arbitrary 3D micro structures with a resolution of approximately 1µm, utilizing spatially controlled solidification of liquid resin by UV light.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Beer-Lambert law governs light absorption properties in materials, which influences the curing depth and the effectiveness of the polymerization process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Current research focuses on improving material properties to reduce brittleness and developing alternative photopolymers with enhanced performance characteristics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Monomers with high reactivity used in free-radical polymerization but prone to shrinkage and curling.

A type of resin that cures slowly, better accuracy, and no oxygen inhibition, needs careful handling due to brittleness.

A polymerization process initiated by free radicals, leading to chain growth.

Describes how light absorption occurs in materials, affecting cure depth in polymers.

The depth to which the photopolymer cures under light exposure.

A 3D printing technology that cures resin point by point using UV light.

Temporary structures that prevent distortion during the building process in SL.

Elements affecting the detail level in stereolithography such as laser quality and layer thickness.

Steps after printing, including support removal and finishing touches like UV curing.

A technique for making micro-scale 3D structures through controlled solidification with UV light.

A 3D printing process that uses light to cure liquid photopolymer in a vat.

The level of detail achievable, typically around 100 µm in stereolithography.

A vat polymerization technique allowing resolutions less than 1 µm.

Chemical compounds that produce radicals needed for polymerization upon exposure to light.

Compounds such as fillers or surfactants added to improve properties of photopolymer.

Includes low viscosity, high curing speed, and low shrinkage for effective polymerization.

Additives that control the depth of light penetration in the resin.

Used in industries such as medical, automotive, and art for creating complex 3D models.

A disadvantage of SL, meaning the produced parts may be fragile.

A high-resolution SL technique achieving resolutions less than 1µm.

Used for functional parts, prototype tooling, and medical devices.

Typically consist of monomers, photoinitiators, absorbents, and fillers.

An application of SL in medicine for administering drugs effectively.

Advanced structures made using SL, manipulating light at the microscopic level.

Include reduced strength, limited material options, and unsuitability for large-scale production.

A system that directs light to a target for 3D printing, including scanning and projection MSL.

A method where a beam scans vector-by-vector to create structures in 3D printing.

A methodology that cures an entire area at once instead of point by point using masks.

A technique that uses femtosecond lasers to create 3D structures via multi-photon polymerization.

A laser that emits pulses lasting one quadrillionth of a second, essential for 2P lithography.

Materials combining different components, such as polymers with nanoparticles, used in 2P structures.

Benefits of using two-photon lithography include low thermal damage and no need for molds.