PUCV researchers advance 3D printed antennas
The project aims to optimize the printing process of telecommunications antennas to reduce material losses and execution times, and improve printing standards through the use of Artificial Intelligence
According to Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), in Chile, professors have developed a more economical and sustainable alternative to manufacturing high-frequency telecommunications antennas – through 3D printing that allows for the reusing of materials.
The project, ‘Development of polymer-based composite material pellets with metallic and/or ceramic particles for the manufacture of telecommunications antennas by additive manufacturing’, was carried out jointly by researchers from the schools of Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering at PUCV.
“Pellet is much cheaper and allows us to manufacture materials with greater characteristics because, as it is a smaller structure, we can add ceramic particles and metal particles in large quantities. At this time, the project contemplates the use of this material for telecommunications, but it can later be extended to other applications,” said Dreidy Vásquez, from the School of Chemical Engineering.
The metal-ceramic 3D printed antennas resulting from the research were subjected to studies of their physicochemical and electrical characteristics. Functional prototypes of high-frequency systems were produced using 3D printing, and underwent a loss assessment process based on printing parameters and roughness.
The project aims to optimize the printing process of telecommunications antennas to reduce material losses and execution times, and improve printing standards through the use of Artificial Intelligence.
“Our participation in the project is related to the application part of the materials that can be used. What we want to do is make them compatible with telecommunications uses in the frequencies known as millimeter waves, with the challenges that this entails in terms of construction. The antenna laboratory in this project is dedicated to the electromagnetic characterization of the materials, precisely to see if they can be compatible for applications in these millimeter-wave frequencies and also the design of final devices, that is, antennas,” said Francisco Pizarro, who holds a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from PUCV.
The recyclable quality of the material developed in the project is also noteworthy, according to the Master’s student in Process Engineering and team member, Rodrigo Ruz.
“When printing using the pellet, material from failed parts can be reused, something that cannot be done with the filament, which is a manufactured cable. Everything is framed within a circular economy, being able to save costs and with a green focus through the use of recycled plastics,” said Rodrigo Ruz, a Master’s student in Process Engineering.
