Laboratory for Dynamics of Machines and Structures 
Manufacturing of single-process 3D-printed piezoelectric sensors with electromagnetic protection using thermoplastic material extrusion
 T. Košir and J. Slavič
Additive Manufacturing, 2023

download pdf   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2023.103699

More research on: 3D printing,
Abstract
Material extrusion with a thermoplastic polymer enables the simultaneous fabrication and poling of piezoelectric sensors; however successful implementation of electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection has yet to be achieved. This research addresses key challenges such as encapsulating the sensor in a limited space without affecting the poling process, the high resistance of the conductive filaments causing low-pass charge filtering, and the need for electrical contact with EMI-protected measurement devices. The presented design principles enable the fabrication of a fully 3D-printed piezoelectric sensor in a single process that includes a piezoelectric sensing element, wire, and a connector interface, all EMI-shielded. Strategies such as inter-trace extrusion filling and electrode ironing are introduced to avoid electrode short circuits and electric poling issues. In addition, the 3D-printed interface allows direct connection to commercially available connectors and measurement devices. As a force sensor, the fully 3D-printed piezoelectric sensor with full EMI shielding has an excellent signal-to-noise ratio of and reduces noise for more than two orders of magnitude if compared to the partially shielded sensor. This research is an important step forward in fabricating and embedding piezoelectric sensors in a single process that offers a wide range of applications in fields such as structural health monitoring, robotics, and biomedical engineering, where a high degree of customization is required.
Authors

Consultant

Tilen Košir, PhD

  RxFunction, Inc
  
  

Professor

Janko Slavič, PhD

  Ladisk, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana
  janko.slavic@fs.uni-lj.si
  +386 1 4771 226
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