Your questions answered...
1. what is 3d bioprinting?
In the truest sense its the 3d printing of biomaterials which may or may not include cells, to build things like tissue models, body parts and much more. Bioprinting is not one technique or one type of tool... there are many techniques and many tools and some are more suitable for certain types of materials or applications.
2. What is the resolution of the printer?
This depends on the tool being used and the motors. For example a typical syringe can probably achieve 100 microns depending on the material and the needle tip but its possible to go much lower with certain needles and different tools. The motors on our system at present can theoretically do 6 microns but its possible to go much lower with different motors.
3. What kind of things can it print?
Pretty much anything that can come out of a syringe. The machine could in theory print anything not just human tissue.
4. What kind of tools can it use?
The machine picks up and uses its own tools in a similar way to how a human hand operates. For now, it can work with a pipetter, 3d printhead, heated syringes, etc. Pretty much any tool that a human can operate the machine could operate.
5. What is the bed size?
Printable area is 100mm by 100mm
6. Can you build custom machines?
Yes, we can build custom machines and cabinets. Contact us for a quote.
7. What is the lead time?
For a standard machine, 6 to 8 weeks, for a custom build, 12 weeks + depending on the complexity of the request.
8. What if there is a problem?
Using remote control, we can guide and assist you with problems you may have as well as provide training sessions over google hangouts.
9. Can you send me a quote?
No problem!. Just enter your details here.
10. What kind of materials can be printed?
In theory, any type of material but some extruders will only work with some materials and you will need different extruders for other types of materials.
11. How many materials can be printed?
With the current tool changer setup, it can handle 8 tools / materials however it is possible to add more through external pumps or even with more novel extruder heads.
12. Can we use our own materials?
Yes of course although, the values we have entered for the converter are based on the materials we have used so you will need to experiment with your materials and change the settings to get it right.
13. Do you supply materials?
Yes, we provide materials. Visit our shop here.
14. How does the software work?
15. Can we see examples?
Yes, please visit our gallery to see what we have printed. (pinterest)
15. Do you have videos?
Yes, you can find some of our videos on vimeo and youtube.
16. What are the different printing processes?
There are many types and many yet to be developed. Hence the reason why we have developed the machine to be readily adapted to new technologies.
17. Drive belt system versus lead screw system's.. which is better?
There are three things to think of, fast, good and cheap.
You can have two of the three but generally not all three at least not at the same time! Drive Belt systems are cheap and fast but are not so accurate and cannot handle heavy weight on the head. CNC are slow and accurate and can handle heavy weights meaning greater variety of tools.
