Optimising printing fidelity of the single-nozzle based multimaterial direct ink writing for 3D food printing

Tian, Zhennan; Zhong, Qiubo; Zhang, Haoxiang; Yin, Tianze; Zhao, Jingxi; Liu, Gongyu; Zhao, Yongjie; Li, HaoNan; He, Yinfeng

Abstract

Single-nozzle based multimaterial direct ink writing enables voxel-based fabrication with superior printing efficiency than multi-nozzle protocol. This is attractive for food 3D printing process where efficiency matters for its application. However, for single-nozzle based process, the presence of residual material in the shared channel can affect its printing fidelity. In this study, we propose a path planning algorithm that can address this issue by incorporating (i) advance distance to compensate the extrusion delay when switching materials, and (ii) in-process printhead motion adjustments to stabilise the extrusion process. Our approach demonstrated a substantial improvement in printing fidelity, where the switching point offset was reduced to ±0.5 mm. Similarly, the unstable extrusion behaviours (bulging and necking) during switching materials were suppressed, where the printing fidelity was improved by 27 ± 5% (bulging) and 19 ± 3% (necking) respectively. Additionally, we provide an open-source slicing programme that empowers users to implement the above two algorithms.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 30, 2024
• Online Publication Date: May 21, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024
• Deposit Date: May 6, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 21, 2024
• Journal: Virtual and Physical Prototyping
• Print ISSN: 1745-2759
• Electronic ISSN: 1745-2767
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: e2352075
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17452759.2024.2352075
• Keywords: path planning, Printing optimisation, multimaterial direct ink writing
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/34620697
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17452759.2024.2352075
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=nvpp20; Received: 2024-02-06; Accepted: 2024-04-30; Published: 2024-05-21