Bio printing

[jonomc 0]

Anyone adapted the UM1 kit to print biological samples? (cell scaffolds, cells, proteins etc.)

Would love to hear what you've done/attempted, especially any success stories!

Jono

 

[riccard0 0]

I am also interested in printing biopolymers, is it easy to modify the nozzle to replace the plastic filament with a liquid polymer solution?

 

[jhertzberg 19]

There are several syringe mounts for the UM1 on Thingiverse (see http://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=syringe+ultimaker). Would that work? If you need higher volumes, there are also peristaltic pumps there.

 

[riccard0 0]

I don't need large volumes, thanks @jhertzberg this is what I was looking for. Do you think the resolution will be very compromised?

 

[jhertzberg 19]

Can't say if it would be. I suppose if you kept the head mass very low (eg. 5cc syringe) and printed slowly, with a fine enough needle gauge, you could exceed the precision you'd get with plastic. Are you thinking of printing into agar? I saw where someone printed into jello with a syringe, so you might even be able to get around overhang problems if you programmed your STL to retract the syringe and print in voxels instead of dragging it around.

 

[riccard0 0]

I am actually not planning to print in agar for the moment, but to use biopolymers and write with a very liquid water solution and then let it dry slowly before the next layer. Speed is not an issue, I am more concerned about resolution. Thanks for the advice!

[riccard0 0]

for anybody following this thread, I recommend this:

http://wiki.ultimaker.com/Bioprinting_with_the_Ultimaker