Optical Trap Printer (OTP) ID: 2018-006

An innovative 3D printing technology that enables additive and subtractive manufacturing in any orientation, using optical traps without liquid immersion.

Technology Overview

The Optical Trap Printer (OTP) is a groundbreaking 3D printing technology that leverages optical traps to manipulate particles across solid, liquid, gas, and plasma phases for both additive and subtractive manufacturing. This method allows for printing in any orientation, potentially even in air, without requiring a base surface. It can produce larger structures than the printer's physical dimensions and enables the concurrent printing of multiple composite materials and full-color items in a single step, eliminating the need for layer-by-layer construction and support structures.

Key Advantages

• Enables printing in any orientation without liquid immersion
• Can print larger structures than the printer's size
• Handles multiple phases of matter: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma
• Allows for concurrent printing of composite materials and full-color items without layer-by-layer construction

Problems Addressed

• Overcomes limitations of traditional 3D printing such as the necessity for liquid immersion and base surfaces
• Addresses challenges of printing larger structures and handling different material phases
• Solves the issue of unwanted support structures in complex prints
• Reduces distortion risks by adapting printing paths in response to real-time feedback

Market Applications

• Manufacturing of complex, large-scale structures beyond the printer's size
• Tissue scaffolding and other biomedical applications requiring precise material placement
• Production of multi-material and full-color objects in a single manufacturing step
• Applications requiring rapid prototyping and customization at the particle level

Additional Information

Technology ID: 2018-006
Sell Sheet: Download the Sell Sheet here
Market Analysis: Contact us for a more in-depth market report
Date Published: 28 March, 2025