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Manufacturing, Developments, and Constraints in Full 3-D Printing of Frequency-Selective Surface Using Low-Cost Open-Source Printer

Shastri, Anshuman, Sanz-Izquierdo, Benito, Elibiary, A., Parker, Edward A. (2021) Manufacturing, Developments, and Constraints in Full 3-D Printing of Frequency-Selective Surface Using Low-Cost Open-Source Printer. IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology, 11 (12). pp. 2193-2200. ISSN 2156-3950. E-ISSN 2156-3985. (doi:10.1109/TCPMT.2021.3123985) (KAR id:92658)

Abstract

A comprehensive study of developing a novel printing system using a low-cost open-source printer for fully 3D printing frequency selective surface is presented in this paper. The novel printing setup employs a low-cost printer to print a plastic based filament and a conductive silver ink paste simultaneously. As there were no printers available in the market for this application, the open-source Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) printer was modified to accommodate two extruders mounted on the same extruder carriage. Techcon TS250 air pressure dispenser was employed for the extrusion of silver ink. Extension pieces for the extruder carriage were also 3D printed using a Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) printer to reduce the production costs. A bandstop FSS comprising of square loop elements was designed to demonstrate the full fabrication. The FSS operated at a central frequency of 2.55 GHz and provided a good angle of response with wide bandwidths. Surface profiles of the printed FSS and substrate demonstrate the reliable fabrication of the FSS design. This full 3D printing method provides an economical, eco-friendly, swift, reliable, and viable substitute for the fabrication of FSS designs that could be highly customised in terms of fabricating three-dimensional FSS designs with reliable performances. The designs can be printed and deployed to reduce the drop in signal within an enclosed environment.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1109/TCPMT.2021.3123985
Uncontrolled keywords: 3D Printing, Additive Manufacturing, Frequency Selective Surfaces, Full 3D Printing, Fused Filament Fabrication, Surface Profiles, Vacuum Extrusion.
Subjects: T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering > TK5101 Telecommunications
T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering > TK7800 Electronics
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences > School of Engineering and Digital Arts
Depositing User: Benito Sanz Izquierdo
Date Deposited: 11 Jan 2022 14:05 UTC
Last Modified: 12 Jan 2022 09:57 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/92658 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Sanz-Izquierdo, Benito.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7313-2520
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Elibiary, A..

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Parker, Edward A..

Creator's ORCID:
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