A laser - assisted 3D printer that works 10-times after than other methods has been developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) researchers . The real challenges, as many found out before, are to obtain accurate prints with sharp corners and layer adhesion. While problems are common in many 3D printers , the most common – fused deposition modelling ( FDM ) printers – use heater cartridges in the printheads to melt plastic . MIT engineers have now developed a FDM printer that uses a screw mechanism to cut through plastic filament at high force and then a laser to rapidly melt it . The speed improvement means that 3D printing will be viable for production as well as display , they said .
A laser - assisted 3D printer that works 10-times after than other methods has been developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) researchers . While problems are common in many 3D printers , the most common – fused deposition modelling ( FDM ) printers – use heater cartridges in the printheads to melt plastic . MIT engineers have now developed a FDM printer that uses a screw mechanism to cut through plastic filament at high force and then a laser to rapidly melt it . The speed improvement means that 3D printing will be viable for production as well as display , they said .