Progress towards 3D-printed mechatronic systems

Abstract

Most additive manufacturing (referred to as 3D printing henceforth) is applied to the creation of static structures. This severely restricts the scope of 3D printing techniques. To be sure, 3D printing can build structures in many different materials including plastics, metals and ceramics. This severely Nevertheless, monolithic structures are the rule of the day and the prospect of 3D-printed multi-material structures are still a research problem. In this paper, we look further to expanding the capabilities of 3D printing to manufacturing full mechatronic systems - specifically electric motor and their supporting electronics. We have taken preliminary steps towards this goal presented here - if fully successful, it will demonstrate that additive manufacturing constitutes a universal constructor in the von Neumann sense.