Integrating Electronic Components into 3D Printed Parts to Develop a Digital Manufacturing Approach

Abstract

Digital manufacturing (DM) processes such as additive manufacturing (AM) technology, allow a high degree of integrability and functionality of printed parts. In this work, we present a proof of the DM concept focused on the integration approach where a product is developed and embedded with sensors. We also take this example one step further and introduce a method that allows 3D printing of heating elements into the specimens. The thermal characteristics of the developed heaters are investigated, and the results detailed. The novelty relates to a heater prototype injected and solidified into a curved 3D printed channel, which can produce a temperature between 23–46 °C on the printed surface of the sample both in a dry and wet environment. This research demonstrates that it is possible to construct parts with embedded electrical structures using the described method.