A System and a Method for Manufacturing Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Structure

Technology: Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Structure

Industry:3D Printing;

Applications: Manufacturing Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Structure;

Market: The global 3D printers market is projected to reach USD 5.44B by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 13.5% from 2022 to 2030.

In conventional ceramic forms, the density of TPMS structure of ceramic foam is less due to release of gaseous by product.
Further, other existing methods such as direct foaming methods use the incorporation of pressured gases in the suspension of liquid media.
And improved setup required additional infrastructure, resources, cost & effort.
Another disadvantage is about the porosity of the types of ceramic foams which is irregular & very difficult to control.
Therefore, there is a need for a system & method to address the above issues in efficient manner.

Present patent claimed a system & method for manufacturing triply periodic minimal surface structure.
Said System comprises a fabrication unit, a casting unit, a dissolving unit, & a sintering unit.
Fabrication unit configured to convert an iso surface into a three dimensional solid design using iso-caps, & print a 3 dimensional structure. Casting unit configured to pour a predefined amount of ceramic slurry on the three dimensional printed structure.
The dissolving unit configured to dissolve the water soluble filament fabrication material by immersing the solidified structure in water. Sintering unit has processed & provides a ceramic triply periodic minimal surface structure.(Refer figures)

Technical Perspective:

The filament fabrication material is a water-soluble filament fabrication material which comprises polyvinyl alcohol.
The dissolving unit includes ultrasonic bath for treating the solidified structure at a predefined temperature.

Industrial Perspective:

Provide a cost-effective 3D printer to print a design of the triply periodic minimal surface structure.
Provide a cost-effective muffle furnace to sinter the ceramic structure.

Prof. Somashekhar S Hiremath

Department of Mechanical Engineering

TRL-3

Proof of Concept ready & validated

Technology Transfer