Design, preparation, and reliability testing of low-cost 3D-printed ABS scanner

Abstract

Scanning mirrors can deflect, reflect, and pattern the laser beam. Traditional laser galvanometers rely on deflection motors and mirrors, which are bulky and costly. Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) micromirrors have small size and high integration, but they require long preparation cycles and sophisticated equipment and expensive materials. Polymer scanners prepared by 3D printing technology have the advantages of low cost and rapid preparation, but their reliability needs further study. In this study, a single-axis electromagnetic scanner was proposed and tested for reliability. The mechanical structure of the scanning mirror is prepared by fused deposition modeling (FDM) using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) as material, the radial magnetic field is provided by neodymium magnet set, and laser patterned copper foil serves as the drive coil. The prepared scanner achieved an optical scan angle of 45.2° at a resonant state of 276 Hz. The effect of temperature and humidity on the device reliability is investigated experimentally. Temperature has a significant influence on the resonance frequency and scanning angle of ABS-based scanner. In addition, the change of relative humidity has less effect on the scanner. The five scanners tested were still working properly after 240 h (more than 2 × 10⁸ cycles) of testing without failures and less than 1.5% frequency drift has been observed.