Rolf Mülhaupt: "3D Printing, Rapid Manufacturing and Biofunctional Processing"

Prof. Rolf Mülhaupt
FRIAS School of Soft Matter Research & Freiburg Materials Research Center

3D Printing, Rapid Manufacturing and Biofunctional Processing

CAD- assisted layer-by-layer fabrication („solid free-form manufacturing“, SSF) repre-sents a very versatile process for producing complex 3D architectures and (bio)functional systems without requiring molds. This technology is widely applied in rapid prototyping and concept modeling. Today it is well recognized as attractive tool for rapid manufacturing with prospects for biomedical applications ranging from fabrication of implant materials to organ printing. With respect to conventional processing, aiming at mass production of parts, here individual 3D objects can be tailored meeting the specific demands of individual patients and (bio) applications. In contrast to conventional SSF technologies such as laser sintering, stereolithography, 3D inkjet printing and layered object manufacturing, the 3D BioplottingTM process, developed at FMF, offers unique opportunities in (bio)functional processing