Process and machine development

Process development

Printing Head developed by IPA
© FhG IPA
Printing Head developed by IPA

The overall goal of this WP is to develop a combined process which integrates the three technologies Inkjet, MPP and Electro-spinning to build up the vascularized scaffold. The processes must be adjusted to the newly developed biocompatible materials.

First the developed materials will be tested for their suitability for inkjet printing and to define the optimal printing parameters. Second, Multiphoton polymerisation will be adapted with regard to the developed material and the desired scaffold structures by use of appropriate beam guidance and optics. Third the materials will be tested for their suitability in the Electrospinning process and to define the process parameters. Further work on this WP will be done on the development of a process-strategy and concept for combining inkjet, MPP and Electro-spinning, to examine the coaction of all three production technologies to built up a small test rig including all technologies in use, the development and generation of a machine code and lastly the process-integration and optimisation.

The Partners of this WP are the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology, the  Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing  Engineering  and Automation, Innovent-Jena e.V., KMS Automation GmbH, AALTO University, University of Loughborough and University of Salerno.

Machine prototype development

Fine adjustment of automation system
Fine adjustment of automation system

The main objective of this WP is the construction of a fully operational prototype incorporating developed processes for the generation of 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering. For this reason, first the overall machine prototype specifications will be elaborated. Second, the developed processes have to be realised in form of process modules and third, the interaction between the separated process modules in one integrating machine platform by an automated handling system will be implemented.

The Partners of this WP are Sysmelec S.A., the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation, Innovent-Jena e.V., KMS Automation GmbH and the Universiy of Salerno.

Machine demonstration

Pressure Testing
© FhG IPA
Pressure Testing

The overall objective of this WP is to test the integrated machine prototype for the generation of 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering. The goal of this WP is the validation of the implemented prototype machine. The developed machine shall produce the complex tissue construct.

The Partners of this WP are Sysmelec S.A., the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation, KMS Automation GmbH and the Universiy of Salerno.