Researchers Develop Robotic Arm System for Studying Irregular 3D Printed Parts
The 3D printing industry today encompasses a wide range of software, hardware, and materials—not to mention many different peripheral products and technologies that are available to help in areas such as post-processing, troubleshooting, and more. Electronics, bionics, live cell growth, and a variety of other fields and disciplines are also often combined with 3D printing—allowing designers, engineers, and researchers to open up untold realms of innovation. Because of this, most industries around the world today are enjoying the benefits of both 3D design and printing in one form or another—from automotive to aerospace, serious science research to the medical field, and from high fashion to retail—just to name a few.

By combining a robotic arm and mass spectrometry, researchers can analyze the surface of 3D objects, such as footballs. [Image: American Chemical Society]
“In RoSA-MS, a sampling probe is attached to a robotic arm that has 360° rotation through 6 individual joints,” state the researchers in their paper. “A 3D laser scanner, also attached to the robotic arm, generates a digital map of the sample surface that is used to direct a probe to specific (x, y, z) locations. The sampling probe consists of a spring-loaded needle that briefly contacts the object surface, collecting trace amounts of material.
“The probe is then directed at an open port liquid sampling interface coupled to the electrospray ion source of a mass spectrometer. Material on the probe tip is dissolved by the solvent flow in the liquid interface and mass analyzed with high mass resolution and accuracy. The surface of bulky, nonplanar objects can thus be probed to produce chemical maps at the molecular level.”
While the technique is still in the developmental stages, the researchers have been testing it outside the lab. Currently, refinements are still needed so the system will be able to handle more unwieldy pieces without assistance from a human counterpart. The researchers also found that the system was only capable of discerning specific types of molecules as they used a specialized camera for managing the robotic arm during plasma ionization collection. They have, however, been able to detect caffeine from within a cup of coffee.
As they continue in their work, the team plans to examine irregular 3D printed shapes in regards to direct surface sampling. The researchers have also been working with applications to include:
- Food sample surfaces
- Lifestyle chemistry
- Chemical reactions on curved substrates
The design for both the probe and the ionization source are easily modified, meaning the system could lend itself to many other applications.
What do you think of this news? Let us know your thoughts; join the discussion of this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts below.
[Source: ACS]
Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news from the 3D printing industry and receive information and offers from third party vendors.
Print Services
Upload your 3D Models and get them printed quickly and efficiently.
You May Also Like
Disruption, as Usual: Rich Garrity on How Stratasys Plans to Capitalize on 3D Printing’s Latest Big Opportunity
Few companies in the history of additive manufacturing (AM) have had as much impact as Stratasys on the overall course of the industry’s development. Stratasys has existed for about as...
3D Printing Financials: Stratasys Kicks Off 2025 with Fresh Cash and a Tight Grip on Strategy
Stratasys (Nasdaq: SSYS) started the year with strong momentum, adding fresh cash to its balance sheet and achieving profitability on an adjusted basis. The company also gained a new investor,...
Stifel’s AM Forward Fund Launches, Looking for US Manufacturers to Invest In
The need for greater resiliency in the defense supply chain is real and urgent. One area the US government has been focusing on is building a faster and more sustainable...
Driving Sustainable Additive Manufacturing: Continuum Powders Joins AMGTA as Principal Member
Texas and California-based Continuum Powders, a leading supplier of high-performance, sustainable metal powders for additive manufacturing (AM), is further strengthening its commitment to sustainability and circular manufacturing by joining the...