RepRapMicron Uses Fibre Optics To Print Tiny Benchy in Resin
The RepRapMicron 3D printer has successfully created a 0.5 mm Benchy model using a specialized UV print head that achieves 9 µm resolution.
The RepRapMicron, also known as µRepRap, represents the microscopic evolution of RepRap's approach to manufacturing. Its latest innovation, the PIKA UV Head, utilizes off-the-shelf optical fiber and UV LED modules to create 3D structures directly in UV resin, achieving remarkable resolution down to approximately 9 micrometers.
UV Print Head Assembly
The UV head employs a single mode fiber optical cable, modified from a regular patch cord using a hacksaw, combined with a '3W' UV LED module of uncertain but effective rating for curing SLA resin. The printing process uses standard eSun Standard Resin, requiring typical SLA post-processing including cleaning and curing.
It's naturally somewhat tricky to get clean photographs of a 3D print that's small enough to lose forever if you so much as sneeze or breathe too loudly.
Current Limitations
While results are described as 'pretty decent,' the technology still struggles with overhangs, which developers plan to address in future revisions. The successful printing of a 0.5 mm Benchy demonstrates significant progress toward practical micro-scale 3D printing capabilities.
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