Strong alliance! Mofang Precision and Quality 3D Launch Multi Material 4D Printing Solution microArch M150-Chemical Instrument Network

With the accelerated evolution of the global additive manufacturing industry towards intelligence and functionality, manufacturing technology has also moved from single material molding to the inevitable stage of multi material collaboration to achieve functional integration and sample miniaturization.

Previously, Chongqing Mofang Precision Technology Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Zhiduo 3D Technology Co., Ltd. officially reached a strategic cooperation to accurately solve the long-standing manufacturing bottlenecks and customer demand pain points in the industry. Based on their respective core technological advantages, both parties have jointly launched innovative achievements in multi material 4D printing——microArch ® M150 UV curable multi material 4D printer.

Regarding the challenges faced by traditional printing equipmentPoor compatibility with multiple materials, insufficient molding accuracy, and difficulty in integrating multiple functionsM150 (optical precision: 25 μ m) supports the integrated molding of multi-functional materials such as hard resin, elastomer, hydrogel, shape memory polymer and conductive elastomer. Its 4D printing solution meets the needs of complex precision scenarios such as biomedicine, soft robotics, aerospace, etc. It has successfully achieved a leapfrog upgrade from single precision machining capability to intelligent material integration application capability, providing global customers with a full chain solution from "high-precision manufacturing" to "functional intelligent manufacturing".

01 Technical Core: Centrifugal 4D Printing Technology

4D printing, as a breakthrough extension of additive manufacturing technology, endows printed components with controllable deformation and functional response characteristics under external stimuli such as thermal, light, and chemical fields through the integration of intelligent materials and three-dimensional structures. Mofang Precision and Zhiduo 3D jointly launched a multi material 4D printing solution, breaking through the limitations of single materials in terms of performance and functionality. Different attribute materials are accurately combined in 3D space, expanding the fourth dimension design space and achieving richer and more powerful functionality than single materials.

M150 is based onCentrifugal light curing multi material 4D printing technologyBy projecting a 405nm wavelength UV LED light source onto the liquid surface of the functional material, precise solidification molding is achieved, and a printing platform is utilizedHigh speed centrifugation efficiently removes residual materialsSuccessfully overcome the technical bottleneck of dynamic switching of multiple materials and residual liquid removal. Through technological collaboration, the two core challenges of microstructure accuracy control and intelligent material adaptation that have long existed in the field of 4D printing have been effectively solved, enabling the equipment to have the ability to print multiple materials within/between layers, ultimately achieving integrated molding of high complexity, high precision, multifunctional, and multi material coupled structure products.

02 Technical features: 4 major innovations to break through industry bottlenecks

① Centrifugal Multi Material Switching Technology

The centrifugal speed can be adjusted (up to 10000 revolutions per minute), and dynamic switching of multiple materials can be quickly completed within 60 seconds. Single printing supports up to 2500 material conversions, and the material switching efficiency and residual liquid removal ability reach the industry's high level, effectively ensuring the continuity and stability of multi material molding.

Figure: The left is a schematic diagram of centrifugal multi material 4D printing, and the right is the steps of centrifugal multi material 4D printing.

② Supporting multi material slicing software

We have independently developed a multi material model slicing system that supports multi material model slicing with arbitrary spatial distribution of multiple materials. The slicing processing speed can reach up to 500 sheets per minute, significantly improving the data processing efficiency and printing preparation speed of complex structural models, and providing intelligent support for efficient production.

Figure: Schematic diagram of slicing a multi material model.

③ Support various high-performance 4D printing functional materials

A diversified 4D printing material system with viscosity ranging from 5 to 5000 cps, including 4D printing materials such as hard resin, elastomer, hydrogel, shape memory polymer and conductive elastomer, as well as their combined structures and multi material 4D printing, can meet the functional requirements of materials in different application fields.

Image: 4D printing material parameter table (only compatible with M150/M150Pro).

④ Integrated molding of multi material and multifunctional coupling structure

Realize high complexity, high precision, and multifunctional integrated molding of multi material coupling structures, support simultaneous printing of three materials, achieve intra layer/inter layer multi material switching, and the size of the transition zone within the multi material layer is less than 100 microns, ensuring precise connection and performance synergy of functionally graded materials.

03 Application prospects: a leap from laboratory to industrialization

As a multi material 4D printing device for industrial scenarios, microArch ® With its 25 micron ultra-high precision and multi material collaborative printing capability, M150 provides a full chain manufacturing solution for cutting-edge technology fields, from functional material integration to complex structural forming, promoting technological breakthroughs and industrial upgrading in multiple fields.

In the field of flexible electronics:By composite printing of conductive elastomers and elastic substrates, the integrated molding of electronic circuits and flexible substrates can be achieved. This technology breaks through the compatibility limitations of rigidity and flexibility in traditional electronic devices, providing key technical support for lightweight and adhesive design of wearable devices, health monitoring sensors, and other products, and assisting in the development of a new generation of intelligent terminals.

Image: Flexible circuit with elastic substrate combined with conductive elasticity.

In the field of metamaterial microrobots:Innovatively adopting a multi material combination process of hard resin and tough resin, we have successfully overcome the manufacturing challenges of structural complexity and functional diversity in micro mobile robots. This solution supports the integrated design of precision transmission structures and flexible drive units, providing a manufacturing foundation for the research and development of micro robots in medical micro operations, environmental monitoring, and other scenarios, and promoting the development of intelligent microsystems towards high integration.

Image: A metamaterial mobile micro robot combining hard resin and tough resin.

Biomedical field:The functional combination of hydrogel and hard resin reinforced phase/shape memory polymer (SMP) provides an innovative manufacturing path for tissue engineering scaffolds, implantable medical devices, etc. The ability of the device to accurately regulate the distribution and functional gradient of materials can simulate the complex microstructure of biological tissues, promoting the development process of personalized implants and intelligent responsive medical devices.

Figure: The left is the meniscus (hydrogel+hard resin reinforcement phase), and the right is the shape memory cardiovascular stent (hydrogel+SMP).

Aerospace field:The combination of shape memory polymers and conductive elastomers can be used to manufacture adaptive spacecraft structures. This type of structure can achieve autonomous shape regulation and intelligent unfolding through environmental perceptionharshMaintaining functional stability in space environment provides key technical support for lightweight design and space adaptability improvement of spacecraft.

Image: A Joule heating circuit that combines shape memory polymers with conductive elastomers to achieve structural shape recovery through electrical heating.

04 Strategic significance: Leap forward in intelligent precision manufacturing

The current global development of 4D printing technology faces two core challenges: precision in microstructure manufacturing and breakthroughs in smart materials. The micrometer level processing capability of Mofang Precision and the dynamic switching technology of multiple materials in three dimensions precisely constitute the best combination of technologies to solve these two major problems.

The joint research and development between the two parties will break through the industrial manufacturing bottleneck of functionally graded materials, endowing materials with environmental adaptability and functional programmability in cutting-edge fields such as sensing elastomers, intelligent conductors, soft robots, bioactive scaffolds, and flexible sensing arrays.

In the future, with the deepening application of multi material 4D printing technology in more industries, we are expected to see the emergence of more intelligent, adaptive, and environmentally friendly manufacturing modes and product forms. From micro nano scale intelligent devices to macro scale adaptive structures, 4D printing technology will provide a new path for humans to solve complex challenges.