Selecting process parameters in RepRap additive manufacturing system for PLA scaffolds manufacture

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies may offer a viable and simpler alternative to fabricate scaffolds directly from patients' data. Existing commercial AM machines are currently being modified to improve their accuracy and capabilities. However, high costs, material restrictions, and difficulty to study process parameters should be considered. In this context, this work focuses on the study and optimization of a novel open-source and low-cost 3D printer machine, called RepRap, employed to fabricate biocompatible scaffolds. Several process parameters and porosity were studied. Lastly, the RepRap printer was considered a versatile, inexpensive, flexible, and simple machine to efficiently fabricate scaffolds. (c) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.