MIT Researchers Invented A System That Prints Functional Drones And Robots: Researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have created a system that can build fully functional drones, robots and other electronic devices by itself.
Along with the laser cutter, the system includes a device that prints the circuitry and puts together components.
Researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory say they’ve developed a system that can print functional, custom devices and robots automatically, without human intervention.
Their platform, called LaserFactory, leverages a three-ingredient recipe that lets users create structural geometry, print traces, and assemble electronic components like sensors and actuators.
3D printers have made it possible to produce a range of objects — including models, jewelry, and toys — on the fly. But crucially, these printers still lack the ability to fabricate more complex devices that are ready to go right out of the printer.
LaserFactory cuts out the required shape add lines of silver for the circuit traces, places components, and cures the silver to complete the device, which is then ready for use.
MIT points to a wide range of possible uses for LaserFactory, such as the ability to quickly build more drones for search and rescue operations or for deliveries.
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The researchers plan to look into means of expanding LaserFactory to create more three-dimensional shapes. The team also intends to refine LaserFactory by improving the quality and fidelity of circuit traces so that the system can build more complex, denser devices.
MIT Researchers Unveil LaserFactory
As a future avenue, the team hopes to increase the quality and resolution of the circuit traces, which would allow for denser and more complex electronics.
As well as fine-tuning the current system, the researchers hope to build on this technology by exploring how to create a fuller range of 3-D geometries, potentially through integrating traditional 3-D printing into the process.
“Beyond engineering, we’re also thinking about how this kind of one-stop shop for fabrication devices could be optimally integrated into today’s existing supply chains for manufacturing.
And what challenges we may need to solve to allow for that to happen,” says Nisser. “In the future, people shouldn’t be expected to have an engineering degree to build robots, any more than they should have a computer science degree to install software.”
