Straight Rod
The printing process is started at the fixed printing plate thereby creating a fixed connection between rod and plate. The Nozzle is then moved away from the printing plate while Resin is extruded. We consider a feed rate, low enough, to enable curing of the resin to a degree that it is self-supporting within a small distance to the nozzle, as well as higher rates where the resin is printed in a viscous state.
Curved Rod
The nozzle follows a curved path, thereby creating a curved rod. The rod is printed in a viscous state and is cured during the 0g phase.Start- /Stop Operation
The experiment focuses on the investigation of the effects of interruption of the printing process as well as non-continuous changes in printing direction. The movement of the nozzle and the extrusion of material is paused during the process and the nozzle tilted before restarting the process.
Connections of Rods
Creating a connection between two rods will generally require printing operations with resin flow not normal to the nozzle exit face. To determine the effects of the Resin exiting the nozzle at an angle the nozzle is moved diagonally away from the printing plate. The printing is started on a rod, that is fixated on the printing plate. The Nozzle is then moved horizontally until reaching a second rod thereby connecting the two rods.Free Floating Operation
The extrusion process is conducted into open space leading to a free-floating specimen. The resin is cured directly at the exit face of the nozzle preventing a possible bubble of resin from developing. As a variation of this experiment the printing process is paused and restarted. This allows us to investigate the influence of inertia effects on the area of viscous resin after the nozzle exit face.
Schematic Diagram of the Experimental Setup
