A Revolutionary Change that 3D Printer will bring to the Pharmaceutical Industry -
From personalized medicine to clinical tests using artificial organs
1. Introduction 1) What is 3D Printing? By definition, 3D printing technology is an additive manufacturing technique, in which successive layers of materials are printed repeatedly, in order to produce a correct, designated form. Through three-dimensional scanning and modeling techniques, it generates a tool-path, hence prints out the three-dimensional figure as a product. â‘
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The process of 3D printing can be largely divided into Modeling, Printing Process, and Finishing. i)Modeling Generally, 3D printing technique involves CAD or any other three-dimensional modeling software in order to complement the data three-dimensionally, and utilizes a 3D scanner so as to achieve the 3D data. The standard data interface between the CAD and the machine is generally in STL format. ii) Printing Process Printing process refers to the technique in which the machinery utilizes the scale diagram, generated from the Modeling process, in order to formulate a substance. It reads the STL file, formulates a potential cross section of the CAD model, and thus prints successive layers of materials in the form of liquid, grinded powder, acrylic and so on. The process begins by spreading a layer of the material as such, and the thickness of each layer is around 0.01mm~0.088mm. Depending on its method of use, the size of the model, and also the level of complexity, the printing process may consume a number of hours, or even several days iii) Finishing and Post-processing 3D printed objects If necessary, a finishing step can be additionally carried out. The product may be polished with sandpaper, be colored, strengthened with synthetic resins, or be assembled into a new product. ⑥The principles i)The method using powder In terms of powdery materials, it includes plaster or nylon. As the printer head passes by a container inherent with the powder, it spreads an adhesive substance, thus formulates a solid product, since the powdered substances stick unto each other. On top of this product, additional powder is spread, and binder is once again sprayed. This procedure is repeated numerous times in additive layers, so as to complete a three-dimensional product. The finished product is then submerged in a sclerotic agent, hence dried for 5-10 minutes. Each layer is of 2.8 centimeters high and is added one by one per hours’ time. ii)The method using liquid plastic A compatible material for this method is photopolymer plastic. During the printing process, it becomes thawed, resulting in a resin. Photopolymer plastic tends to become stiff and hard once UV light strikes, so instead of spraying adhesive substances, it is exposed to more UV light. Resin exposed to the light, hence solidifies in accordance with the shape of emitted light, and this form of solidified layer becomes submerged into liquid, while