Electrostatic Distortion of Melt?Electrowritten Patterns by 3D Objects: Quantification, Modeling, and Toolpath Correction

Melt electrowriting (MEW) is an electrohydrodynamic process capable of producing organized patterns micrometer-scale polymer fibers. Integrating MEW with other additive manufacturing technologies, such as extrusion-printing or bioprinting, offers tantalizing possibilities for multi-scale biofabrication anatomically shaped scaffolds. However, introducing 3D structures onto the conventionally flat collector plate significantly complicates because these objects perturb electrostatic field. Here, systematic investigation how simple (hemispheres) distort printed in their vicinity reported. The authors assess influence a series parameters on fiber deflection including: distance from hemisphere, hemisphere size and material composition, height nozzle, translation speed, applied voltage, pressure. In light data, model which captures basic physics behind phenomenon derived. An optimization algorithm to calculate tool-paths pre-emptively account deviations also introduced. Finally, validate G-code produced by this effectively corrects distortion effect, restoring ability create well-defined objects. This study suggests foundation understanding complexities non-planar collectors, towards multitechnology biofabrication.