3D Printing In Gel Enables Freeform Design and an Undo Function

Zothecula writes "The additive layer process of conventional 3D printers means they are usually limited to bottom up fabrication on three axes. Now, the LA-based NSTRMNT team has created a 3D printing process called suspended disposition that gets around gravity by printing objects within a gel. Not only does this allow freeform additive fabrication on six axes, it also enables an 'undo' function."

resin+gel as support material

[gl4ss]

you can do support materials with some other techniques as well. easily dissoluable(sp?) support material for fdm style machines would be really useful, that printed well(the materials that print well now tend to need nasty chemicals). I'm not sure why the robot in this case has to be a six axis one, seemingly the technique would be just fine with a 3 axis printer?

Re:resin+gel as support material

[camperdave]

They are not extruding layer by layer, but they are moving an injector needle on a path through a block of gel. It allows the injector to follow a 3D path without having to wait for the model to be built up slice by slice.

Re:Gravity is not the problem

[Culture20]

Gravity is not the reason why supports are used in stereolithography type 3d printing, shrinkage is.

Gravity is sometimes the reason why supports are used in both STL and FDM. Shrinkage is the reason why George repeatedly shouted "I was in the pool!"