Search for: All records

Multi-material 3D printing combines the functional properties of different materials (e.g., mechanical, electrical, color) within a single object that is fabricated without manual assembly. However, this presents sustainability challenges as multi-material objects cannot be easily recycled. Because each material has a different processing temperature, considerable effort must be used to separate them for recycling. This paper presents a computational fabrication technique to generate dissolvable interfaces between different materials in a 3D printed object without affecting the object’s intended use. When the interfaces are dissolved, the object is disassembled to enable recycling of the individual materials. We describe the computational design of these interfaces alongside experimental evaluations of their strength and water solubility. Finally, we demonstrate our technique across 9 multi-material 3D printed objects of varying structural and functional complexity. Our technique enables us to recycle 89.97% of the total mass of these objects, promoting greater sustainability in 3D printing. 

The Biofibers Spinning Machine produces bio-based fibers (biofibers) that are dissolvable and biodegradable. These fibers enable recycling of smart textiles by making it easy to separate electronics from textiles. Currently, prototyping with the machine requires the use of low-level commands, i.e. G-code. To enable more people to participate in the sustainable smart textiles design space and develop new biofiber materials, we need to provide accessible tools and workflows. This work explores a software tool that facilitates material exploration with machine parameters. We describe the interface design and demonstrate using the tool to quantify the relationship between machine parameters and spun gelatin biofibers.