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OpenCAL is the world's first open-source layerless 3D printer. As the electronics lead for this project I specced components and created housing for the electrical system. Designing for open-source accessibility, I chose OTS components and designed 3D printable housing to be manufacturable on common FDM printers.
The ultimate goal of OpenCAL is to take a novel technology and package it an an accessible form such that researchers and hobbyists can continue to refine it.
How Does it Work: An Overview
"Layerless" printing involves forming an entire part in one single step. Light, an MP4 of an object is projected onto a vial. Both the video and vial spin at the same rate, 9 RPM, selectively curing the resin.
Desired Image
Desired Image
The desired image is sliced using TOMO, an application which applies CAL computation to an STL, producing an MP4 for printing.
Resulting Image
Resulting Image
The final result of the print, after washing and curing, resembles the projected image.
To meet the specs of all components, buck converters drop down voltage from a 24V power adapter to 5V, 12V, and 19V. Components are placed throughout the system to utilize existing space and keep the design as compact as possible.
Components are broken down into sub-assemblies. Housing features cutouts and routing guides for clean wire organization. All housing is 3D printed from PETG.
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