The nozzle offers the means for 3D-printing fibre-filled composites: materials made up of short fibres which have enhanced properties compared with traditional 3D printer parts, such as strength or electrical conductivity. These properties are based on the orientations of the fibres, which has previously been difficult to control during the manufacturing process.
“When 3D printing with the morphing nozzle, the power lies on their side actuators, which can be inflated like a balloon to change the shape of the nozzle, and in turn, the orientations of the fibres,” said Professor Ryan Sochol, a mechanical engineer at the University of Maryland.
The nozzle was built using 3D printing technology known as PolyJet Printing. This allowed them to 3D-print the nozzle with flexible materials for the inflatable side actuators and shape-changing central channel, while the outer casing and access ports were built from rigid materials.
The researchers set their sights...