Case Study: Advancing Health and Well-Being Design with Vision-Controlled Jetting Multi-Material 3D Printing Technology

How Makelab and Inkbit’s VCJ Technology Empowered ASU Students to Innovate

In Spring 2024, students of the IND622 Advanced Industrial Design Studio IV at Arizona State University, led by Professor Dosun Shin, embarked on projects to design products that enhance health and well-being. Sponsored by Makelab (hello!), a leading manufacturing service provider specializing in additive manufacturing, the students were challenged to leverage Inkbit’s Vision-Controlled Jetting (VCJ) technology. This advanced technology enabled them to integrate multi-material 3D printing with a focus on overmolding, resulting in sophisticated and functional prototypes.

Exploring VCJ Technology, Tough Epoxy and Soft Elastic 30A Materials, and Multi-Material 3D Printing Capabilities for Overmolding

To understand the impact on the students' projects, it's essential to delve into the technical aspects of VCJ technology, the materials used, and its multi-material capabilities.

Technology

Inkbit’s Vision-Controlled Jetting (VCJ) Technology represents a significant breakthrough in the field of 3D printing, evolving from traditional inkjet methods. This cutting-edge technology integrates a 3D computer vision scanning system that captures each layer's print geometry in real-time, enabling unprecedented precision. This digital closed-loop feedback control eliminates the need for mechanical planarizers (such as a roller) and allows for the precise printing of intricate parts with diverse mechanical properties using slow-cure chemistries.

VCJ technology is relatively new and not yet widely democratized, revolutionizing the way multi-material 3D printing is approached. Its ability to integrate different materials within a single print without compromising on accuracy or durability opens new horizons for innovation. This advancement significantly reduces production time and costs while enhancing the complexity and functionality of printed parts, positioning VCJ as a game-changer in the additive manufacturing landscape.

Materials Used

For their projects, students could explore two materials: > Ver esta publicação no Instagram Uma publicação partilhada por Makelab | 3D Manufacturing (@makelab3d) > Ver esta publicação no Instagram Uma publicação partilhada por Makelab | 3D Manufacturing (@makelab3d) - Tough Epoxy: Known for its exceptional durability and high tensile strength, Tough Epoxy ensures structural integrity and longevity in printed parts. It is ideal for applications requiring robust, impact-resistant components.

• Soft Elastic 30A: This soft, elastic material offers excellent flexibility and comfort, making it perfect for ergonomic and wearable designs. Soft Elastic 30A provides a tactile feel and is suitable for applications needing a soft, rubber-like texture.

Multi-Material Capabilities for Overmolding

VCJ technology’s multi-material capability supports the concurrent printing of Tough Epoxy and Soft Elastic 30A materials, crucial for creating functional and durable designs. This technology enables chemical bonding and mechanical interlocking, ensuring robust product performance.

VCJ technology’s multi-material capabilities allow for advanced overmolding techniques, offering several advantages:- Enables complex, multi-material designs: Integrates different material properties within a single part, allowing for the creation of sophisticated products that combine strength, flexibility, and other necessary characteristics.

• Reduces assembly steps and production time: Combines multiple manufacturing steps into one, enhancing efficiency and reducing the potential for assembly errors. This streamlined process not only saves time but also decreases production costs and minimizes waste.


• Enhances product functionality and aesthetics: Improves usability and appearance by integrating materials, allowing for the creation of ergonomic and visually appealing designs that are both comfortable and functional.

Automatic interlock design (AID) uses procedurally generated interlocking patterns to securely join materials, ensuring strong mechanical adhesion at the interface. This method provides enhanced durability and reliability in the final product. For surfaces too complex or small for AID, manual interlock design (MID) is a set of guidelines for engineers to design customized interlocking features, offering flexibility in design and accommodating specific functional requirements.

These capabilities are particularly advantageous in health and well-being design, where products often need to meet diverse functional requirements. The ability to combine rigid and flexible materials in a single part ensures that products can offer both structural support and comfort, making them suitable for various applications such as medical devices, ergonomic tools, and wearable technology.

Explore Student Projects

The integration of VCJ technology enabled students to create innovative solutions addressing real-world health and well-being challenges. Here are some standout projects:

WAVES by Austin Mao

• Goal: Provide a therapeutic and immersive experience to enhance users' well-being by reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
• Features: Wearable Device Portable and User-Friendly.
• Impact: Improve mental well-being and focus, making it beneficial for individuals dealing with stress, anxiety, or related issues.

Ergonomic Mouse by Jami Wu

• Goal: Reduce carpal tunnel syndrome risk with an ergonomic design.
• Features: Advanced sensors, customizable settings, ergonomic shape.
• Impact: Enhances user comfort and reduces repetitive strain injuries.

ARC Shower Water Flosser by Allen Chou

• Goal: Improve oral hygiene with a more effective and user-friendly dental flosser.
• Features: Multi-material construction for durability and comfort, ergonomic handle design, integrated floss tensioning mechanism.
• Impact: Enhances user experience by providing a comfortable grip and efficient flossing, promoting better oral hygiene practices.

Mindful Ear Therapy Unit (Metu) by Ian Bar

• Goal: Combat stress, anxiety, and distractions, promoting inner focus and peace.
• Features: Portable, lightweight headset using vibrations and projections for a relaxing experience.
• Impact: Enhances daily lives and embeds meditation practices into users' routines.

Makelab’s Commitment to Supporting Education

Makelab's dedication to education goes far beyond providing access to advanced technology. Our founders, Christina and Manny, are Pratt alumni who understand the challenges design students face, from waiting in long lines to access 3D printers to paying exorbitant fees for printing final projects. To support the next generation of designers, we offer a student discount program, Makelab for Students, that makes 3D printing prototyping and manufacturing services more affordable. This initiative encourages students to explore and realize their design ideas without financial barriers.

Additionally, we provide expert guidance to ensure student files are printable and optimized. By offering this support, we foster innovation and practical learning, equipping students with the skills and confidence needed to tackle professional challenges in the design and manufacturing industries.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Makelab and ASU’s IND622 course highlights the transformative impact of industry partnerships on education. By leveraging advanced 3D printing technology, students were able to develop innovative solutions addressing real-world health and well-being challenges. This case study underscores the potential of multi-material 3D printing in product design and the importance of supporting educational initiatives.