| Abstract: | This device will facilitate the rapid customization of 3D-printed biomaterial scaffolds of collagen fibers and serves as a promising approach to fabricating customizable skin grafts or artificial tissues. The project constraints being set forth are: a printing speed range of 10 um/min to 10mm/min with a resolution of 1.5 um, three-dimensional movement within the volumetric space of 64 cm^3, facilitation of boundary and origin detection with complete control of printing stage movement and position via real-time user input, and the elimination of mechanical vibrations causing capillary displacements along the printing stage larger than 1 um. The printer's performance will be evaluated using a stereo-microscope and photoelectric LED sensors placed on each axis of the printing stage to ensure the movement of the printing stage remains within the volumetric boundary. The parts for the printer assembly will be fabricated in UTA facilities and the expected cost to create this prototype is around $300. |