UK engineers speed up 3D printing technology

摘要

Engineers at De Montfort University (DMU) are building what is hoped to be the world's fastest 3D printer for manufacturing high-performance plastic components.rnThe machine, which will print and fuse fine polymeric powders to make complex parts on demand, is the intended result of the ￡750,000 'SPRINT' project funded partly by the Technology Strategy Board.rnLeicester-based DMU has partnered with MTT Technology, Ren-ishaw and Parker KV to develop the machine's core technology - an additive manufacturing process known as selective laser printing (SLP) - for use with high-performance polymer materials such as the thermoplastic polyefher ether ketone (PEEK).