The project is to retrofit an existing 3D printer that will be capable of extruding a liquid polymer precursor. The 3D printer has UV LED’s surrounding the print stage in order to cure the polymer as it extrudes. The printing method is fused deposition modeling, where a thermoplastic filament is fed into the heated extruder head and prints extremely fine beads on the extrusion path. The print material consists of slurry of materials, but the main component is a polymer based ceramic precursor. This material has a low viscosity and may be cured by heat or an exposure to UV radiation. The polymer will also be mixed with a UV curing reagent in efforts to increase the curing time, and CNT will be introduced to enhance mechanical properties.
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