Using light-emitting resins for 3D printing is hardly a new idea. But researchers at the University of Texas at Austin want to double down on the idea. Specifically, they’re using a resin with different physical properties when cured using different wavelengths of light .
Natural structures like bone and cartilage inspired the researchers. Under violet light, the resin cures into a rubbery material. However, ultraviolet light produces a rigid cured material. Many of their test impressions are, unsurprisingly, bioanalogs.
Most importantly, resin materials bond naturally, so you don’t have to worry as much about a part made with two materials describing the interface. You can control the exact properties by shifting the frequency of light one way or the other. We read the actual paper, but it wasn’t clear to us whether, after curing in a rubbery state, the part could still cure under the influence of, say, sunlight. The paper is available from Natural Materials , but if you don’t have a subscription, try your local library or university.
Perhaps the problem with this adjustable laser design is that you can use multicolor FDM printers with both filament types. You just need to convert the model.
