Title: 3D Printing of Magnetorheological Elastomers (MREs) Smart Materials
Abstract:The purpose of this research work is to explore manufacturability of a variety of smart materials using additive manufacturing (AM) process and a specific kind of smart material, the Magnetorheologica...The purpose of this research work is to explore manufacturability of a variety of smart materials using additive manufacturing (AM) process and a specific kind of smart material, the Magnetorheological Elastomers (MREs) is investigated in depth in this paper. A multi-material 3D printing process was designed and set up to manufacture this kind of smart materials and the preliminary results are reported. The experimental device involves a double nozzle print head which integrates dry powder printing and extrusion freeforming method to make MREs with completely arbitrary distributions of magnetic particles within the matrix material. A LabVIEW program was developed to control the printing process. Using the process developed, a number of MRE samples were produced using silicone (as matrix material), iron and copper powders. Finally, the printed samples were analyzed and the process was evaluated accordingly.Read More