First, an object is placed on the platform of the printer upon –
a petrie dish for example. Then the printer must check the
height of the object to make sure everything is calibrated
correctly. Mr. Carvalho placed a paper card on the platform of
the 3D-Bioplotter to demonstrate how the machine works. Mr.
Carvalho then talked us through the printing process. To begin,
a liquefied material – in this case a silicone paste – is
pressed through a needle-like tip by applying air pressure. The
needle moves in all three dimensions which means it is able to
create a three dimensional object. The printer is called
‘Bioplotter’ because the unique aspect of this machine is its
use of biomaterials to make implants or other objects for
biomedical application. Some of the implants which are made
using the 3D Bioplotter are intended to dissolve in the body.
The materials which are used in this application include PLLA,
PLGA, and silicone. Implants made with thermoplastics – as they
are mostly water and CO2 – are removed by t