Using viscoplastic fluid to suppress part sedimentation in volumetric additive manufacturing

Volumetric additive manufacturing (VAM) presents several advantages, notably reduced printing times and high surface quality. Yet, a persistent challenge is sedimentation during printing, impacting the geometric fidelity of printed objects. This study proposes an innovative solution using a viscoplastic resin, aiming to alleviate sedimentation and enable translation-free printing. Through numerical simulations, this approach’s efficacy is showcased. A comparative analysis between a viscoplastic fluid and a Newtonian case elucidates the disparities in viscosity and shear rate fields and their impact on sedimentation dynamics. Moreover, the study investigates the intricate relationships between viscoplastic parameters, resin attributes, and setup parameters to unveil their collective influence on sedimentation behavior. This methodology offers valuable insights into selecting optimal viscoplastic behavior and printing parameters to effectively control sedimentation in VAM.