Micro 3D-fabrication of ceramic components using projection micro-stereolithography technique

Abstract

The additive manufacturing of complex three-dimensional micro-structures has confounded researchers for decades. Compared with all additive manufacturing techniques projection micro-stereo lithography proves that it is the quick and reliable technique to fabricate three-dimensional microstructures in a layer by layer fashion in a bottom-up approach. This paper is mainly about fabricating a very complex and a 3D micro component made of ceramic nano-powders using projection micro-stereolithography technique. In order to get the pure ceramic component, the fabricated components are then subjected to de-binding and sintering processes. The fabricated components are supposed to have high mechanical or thermal characteristics for which the nano-indentation test and the porosity test are carried out, followed by the stereo-microscopic analysis for its dimensional accuracy.