3D-PRINTED TOOLS WELCOME

摘要

3D printing has shown great potential in laboratories for making customised labware at a low cost, based on open source hardware design and affordable materials. For example, digital recreation of devices with 3D printing has been used in the fabrication of reactionware, millifluidics, microfluidics, and continuous flow chemistry, as well as advanced characterisation techniques like mass spectroscopy equipment. Indeed, fused filament fabrication (FFF)-based 3D printing has produced high-quality affordable scientific equipment. In general, this approach reduces capital cost of scientific equipment by 90% -99% compared to conventionally produced equipment. However, the applicability of 3D-printed devices to cleanrooms used for semiconductor processing is not as straightforward. Many scientists and engineers have been reluctant to use 3D-printed tools inside clean environments due to concerns around the chemical compatibility or particle generation. But that's about to change.