UC San Diego

Our aim is to show that the screw extrusion process is comparable to current FDM 3D printing processes by implementing an innovative design along with an advanced control algorithm. A thermistor array was used to detect the temperature profile along the barrel during the extrusion process for feedback. This provided information in regards to the location of the melting point during extrusion. The current prototype was able to achieve open loop extrusion out of a 0.2mm diameter nozzle with a maximum output flow rate of 7.14 mm/second and retain a controlled temperature profile using bang-bang control throughout the extrusion process