CAD/CAM for scalable nanomanufacturing: A network-based system for hybrid 3D printing

Abstract

Micro- and nano-structuring have been highlighted over several decades in both science and engineering fields. In addition to continuous efforts in fabrication techniques, investigations in scalable nanomanufacturing have been pursued to achieve reduced feature size, fewer constraints in terms of materials and dimensional complexity, as well as improved process throughput. In this study, based on recent micro-/nanoscale fabrication processes, characteristics and key requirements for computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems for scalable nanomanufacturing were investigated. Requirements include a process knowledge database, standardized processing, active communication, adaptive interpolation, a consistent coordinate system, and management of peripheral devices. For scalable nanomanufacturing, it is important to consider the flexibility and expandability of each process, because hybrid and bridging processes represent effective ways to expand process capabilities. As an example, we describe a novel CAD/CAM system for hybrid three-dimensional (3D) printing at the nanoscale. This novel hybrid process was developed by bridging aerodynamically focused nanoparticle printing, focused ion beam milling, micromachining, and spin-coating processes. The system developed can print a full 3D structure using various inorganic materials, with a minimum process scale of 50 nm. The most obvious difference versus CAD/CAM at ‘conventional’ scales is that our system was developed based on a network to promote communication between users and process operators. With the network-based system, it is also possible to narrow the gap among different processes/resources. We anticipate that this approach can contribute to the development of CAD/CAM for scalable nanomanufacturing and a wide range of hybrid processes.

Additive Manufacturing of Functional Microarchitected Reactors for Energy, Environmental, and Biological Applications

“…Ahn et al also suggested a hybrid 3D printing process consisting of aerodynamically focused nanoparticle (AFN) printing, micromachining, and focused ion beam milling, and spin-coating ( Fig. 13a-i) [91][92][93]. This hybrid process showed the potential to overcome the limitations of individual techniques by enabling improved scaling, dimensional degree of freedom, and high-resolution down to ~ 50 nm.…”

Graphene Quantum Dots for Quantum GPU architectures.

“…We are now in the process of setting up such 3DP facilities as an intentional synergetic economy. (Gao 2016;Guo, Lv, and Bai 2019;Campbell and Ivanova 2013;Peng et al 2019;Jonušauskas et al 2019;Yoon et al 2017;Ahmad, Gopinath, and Dutta 2019;Mineta, Masuda, and Hong 2018;Berger 2009) Graphene is conducting and computing and can be printed at quantum scales lending itself to the design of graphene quantum dots. PLA provides the base substrate.…”