Conversion of an FDM printer to direct ink write 3D bioprinter utilizing an efficient and cost-effective extrusion system

3D bioprinting has emerged as a transformative technology in biomedical engineering, enabling the fabrication of functional tissues through the precise deposition of cell-laden biomaterials. However, the widespread adoption of this technology is constrained by the prohibitive costs of commercial bio...

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Main Authors: Y.  H. Dang, Elise Dauzat, Asif Istiak, Kevin Jackson, Victoria Songe, Luke West, Md Imrul Kayes, Md Saiful Islam, Tanvir R. Faisal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Annals of 3D Printed Medicine
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266696412500027X
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author Y.  H. Dang
Elise Dauzat
Asif Istiak
Kevin Jackson
Victoria Songe
Luke West
Md Imrul Kayes
Md Saiful Islam
Tanvir R. Faisal
author_facet Y.  H. Dang
Elise Dauzat
Asif Istiak
Kevin Jackson
Victoria Songe
Luke West
Md Imrul Kayes
Md Saiful Islam
Tanvir R. Faisal
author_sort Y.  H. Dang
collection DOAJ
description 3D bioprinting has emerged as a transformative technology in biomedical engineering, enabling the fabrication of functional tissues through the precise deposition of cell-laden biomaterials. However, the widespread adoption of this technology is constrained by the prohibitive costs of commercial bioprinting systems. We present a cost-effective solution through the conversion of an open-source fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer into a direct ink write bioprinter by integrating a peristaltic pump-based extrusion system. The modified dual-extruder system demonstrates successful deposition of hydrogel-based bioinks across varying viscosities, producing well-defined scaffold architectures. The printer's open-source control architecture facilitates retraction capabilities, high-speed movements, and customizable printing parameters, enhancing operational flexibility. This development represents a significant step toward democratizing low-cost bioprinting technology, making it accessible to academic institutions and research facilities with limited resources.
format Article
id doaj-art-2a69971ae4904fa2a6b910298bacadce
institution Kabale University
issn 2666-9641
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Annals of 3D Printed Medicine
spelling doaj-art-2a69971ae4904fa2a6b910298bacadce2025-08-20T03:43:45ZengElsevierAnnals of 3D Printed Medicine2666-96412025-08-011910021210.1016/j.stlm.2025.100212Conversion of an FDM printer to direct ink write 3D bioprinter utilizing an efficient and cost-effective extrusion systemY.  H. Dang0Elise Dauzat1Asif Istiak2Kevin Jackson3Victoria Songe4Luke West5Md Imrul Kayes6Md Saiful Islam7Tanvir R. Faisal8Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USACorresponding author at: 241 E Lewis St, Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, LA, 70503, USA.; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA3D bioprinting has emerged as a transformative technology in biomedical engineering, enabling the fabrication of functional tissues through the precise deposition of cell-laden biomaterials. However, the widespread adoption of this technology is constrained by the prohibitive costs of commercial bioprinting systems. We present a cost-effective solution through the conversion of an open-source fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer into a direct ink write bioprinter by integrating a peristaltic pump-based extrusion system. The modified dual-extruder system demonstrates successful deposition of hydrogel-based bioinks across varying viscosities, producing well-defined scaffold architectures. The printer's open-source control architecture facilitates retraction capabilities, high-speed movements, and customizable printing parameters, enhancing operational flexibility. This development represents a significant step toward democratizing low-cost bioprinting technology, making it accessible to academic institutions and research facilities with limited resources.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266696412500027XBioprinterConverted 3D printerPeristaltic pumpHydrogelBioink
spellingShingle Y.  H. Dang
Elise Dauzat
Asif Istiak
Kevin Jackson
Victoria Songe
Luke West
Md Imrul Kayes
Md Saiful Islam
Tanvir R. Faisal
Conversion of an FDM printer to direct ink write 3D bioprinter utilizing an efficient and cost-effective extrusion system
Annals of 3D Printed Medicine
Bioprinter
Converted 3D printer
Peristaltic pump
Hydrogel
Bioink
title Conversion of an FDM printer to direct ink write 3D bioprinter utilizing an efficient and cost-effective extrusion system
title_full Conversion of an FDM printer to direct ink write 3D bioprinter utilizing an efficient and cost-effective extrusion system
title_fullStr Conversion of an FDM printer to direct ink write 3D bioprinter utilizing an efficient and cost-effective extrusion system
title_full_unstemmed Conversion of an FDM printer to direct ink write 3D bioprinter utilizing an efficient and cost-effective extrusion system
title_short Conversion of an FDM printer to direct ink write 3D bioprinter utilizing an efficient and cost-effective extrusion system
title_sort conversion of an fdm printer to direct ink write 3d bioprinter utilizing an efficient and cost effective extrusion system
topic Bioprinter
Converted 3D printer
Peristaltic pump
Hydrogel
Bioink
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266696412500027X
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