Open Access
ARTICLE
Experimental Analysis of a Pneumatic Drop-on-Demand (DOD) Injection Technology for 3D Printing Using a Gallium-Indium Alloy
Yanpu Chao1, Hao Yi2,3,*
1 College of Mechatronics, Xuchang University, Xuchang, 461000, China
2 College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
3 State Key Laboratory of Mechanical Transmissions, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
* Corresponding Author: Hao Yi. Email:
Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2021, 17(3), 587-595. https://doi.org/10.32604/fdmp.2021.015478
Received 21 December 2020; Accepted 11 February 2021; Issue published 29 April 2021
Abstract
Many liquid metals have a high boiling point, strong electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity, and non-toxic properties, which make them ideal targets for applications in different fields such as optics, microcircuits, electronic switches, micro-electromechanical System (MEMS) devices and 3D printing manufacturing. However, owing to the generally high surface tension of these liquids, achieving uniform micro-droplets is often a challenge due to the inherent difficulties in controlling their size and shape. In this study, a gallium indium alloy (GaIn
24.5) has been used in combination with a pneumatic drop-on-demand (DOD) injection technology to carry out a series of experiments. The micro-droplet forming process has been explored for different pressure and pulse width conditions. Uniform metal droplets (diameter 1080 μm) have been obtained with a 1.5 kPa jet pressure, 100 ms pulse width, and 50% duty ratio. The standard deviation of the measured metal droplets diameter has been found to be approximately 20 μm.
Keywords
Cite This Article
Chao, Y., Yi, H. (2021). Experimental Analysis of a Pneumatic Drop-on-Demand (DOD) Injection Technology for 3D Printing Using a Gallium-Indium Alloy.
FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, 17(3), 587–595. https://doi.org/10.32604/fdmp.2021.015478