Working with chocolate is a difficult endeavor. However, through the use of additive manufacturing technologies, the labor involved can be reduced. One difficulty is the pumping of the melted chocolate through the system onto the print bed of the printer. In this paper, three systems of transferring chocolate are investigated: A syringe system, a gear pump system, and an auger system. Each system is explained with a model of the proposed system and the pros and cons are discussed. Lastly, a system composed of parts of the syringe and auger system is proposed. The positive and negative aspects of this design are discussed, and a 3D model of the system is given as well. This system is suggested as a better option, and future research can be done to investigate and rate these systems in greater detail. In commercial food applications, these technologies can change the way chocolate is manipulated, and difficult practices can be simplified for home chefs.
Due to the vast increase in processing power and energy usage in computing, a need for greater heat dissipation is prevalent. With numerous applications demanding cheaper and more efficient options for thermal management, new technology must be employed. Through the use of additive manufacturing, designs and structures can be created that were not physically possible before without extensive costs. The goal is to design a system that utilizes capillary action, which is the ability for liquids to flow through narrow spaces unassisted. The level of detail required may be achieved with direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) and stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing.
This thesis paper outlines the Ctrl+P print store business, an honors thesis project conducted through the Founder’s Lab program at Arizona State University. The project is an online store for 3D printed items, operated by a team of four students with backgrounds in engineering and finance. Three team members have experience in computer-aided design (CAD) and can design products to print and sell, while the fourth member is responsible for the financial side of the business. The project began with a broader scope but later focused on the niche community of pool. In the spring semester, the team conducted customer discovery with over 600 ASU students; and in the fall semester, reached out to several pool halls to facilitate feedback on designs of custom pool racks. The team currently has a pending business deal with Mill’s Modern Social, a pool hall and bar in Tempe. The team's goal was to be revenue-earning by the end of the project, and they have already made a profit as a business.