3D Printed Micro-Optics to the Market

Project Information

3DPRINTOPTIXMARKET

Grant agreement ID: 101113140

DOI

10.3030/101113140

Project closed

EC signature date 16 March 2023

Start date 1 June 2023

End date 31 May 2026

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 2 496 962,50

EU contribution

€ 2 496 602,75

Coordinated by

PRINTOPTIX GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - 3DPRINTOPTIXMARKET (3D Printed Micro-Optics to the Market)

Reporting period: 2023-06-01 to 2024-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The 3DPrintoptixMarket project is developing a revolutionary 3D printing technology for micro-optics, with potential applications in the booming AR/VR/MR market. Building on previous research, the project aims to create complex, customizable lens systems at significantly reduced costs and faster turnaround times. The fabrication method enables local production without long supply chains, supporting independence of critical infrastructure. The fabrication process is adaptable to customer designs without minimum purchase quantity, thus being affordable also for smaller businesses and use cases.
The initial focus is on eye-tracking technology, with the development of a demonstrator system in collaboration with Viewpointsystem GmbH. This application serves as an ideal entry point due to its demand for customization and minimal regulatory hurdles.
The project has three main objectives: establishing a sustainable business model for 3D printed lens systems, developing a cost-competitive fabrication process, and creating specialized lenses for image sensor-based eye tracking systems. Key performance indicators include cost reductions, improved optical performance, miniaturization, and faster assembly times.
The expected impact is significant, with potential for new business opportunities, increased market share, and job creation in Europe. Additionally, the technology could revolutionize medical diagnosis and treatment, improve human-machine interaction, and enhance accessibility for people with disabilities.
The project's success will depend on several factors, including customer validation, regulatory approval, and the development of a sound business plan to attract investment. The integration of social sciences and humanities is also crucial for understanding user needs and ensuring ethical considerations in eye-tracking technology.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

A primary focus of the project is to address the main drawback of 3D printing: fabrication time. The team has developed several innovative solutions to accelerate the printing process significantly.

Firstly, the beam path trajectory has been optimized for typical lens geometries. By programming a custom trajectory generator in Python, the laser spot now moves in a continuous curved path within each layer, utilizing both galvo scanners simultaneously. This eliminates abrupt movements and reduces scanning time per layer by approximately 50%.

Additionally, the team has implemented a dynamic adjustment of scan speed and laser power for small radii. This ensures accurate printing even at high curvatures, where the galvo scanners' movement and acceleration limits can be exceeded.

Greyscale lithography, by adjusting laser power per voxel, enables fewer layers and faster 3D printing of micro-optics while maintaining accuracy. This approach allows for a larger slicing distance, reducing printing time by 80% for a test lens.

LensTool, a Python-based tool with a graphical user interface, simplifies the design and printing of 3D-printed lenses. It streamlines the transfer of lens data to a printable 3D model and optimizes the laser trajectory, significantly reducing development time (from over 10 minutes to under 10 minutes) and printing time (from over 5 minutes to under 5 minutes).

The 3DPrintoptixMarket project has significantly advanced 3D-printed micro-optics. The new technologies and tools have the potential to revolutionize manufacturing, making it faster, cheaper, and more efficient, leading to wider adoption and new applications.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The project's success in advancing 3D-printed micro-optics offers valuable insights for EU policymaking. To bolster the European supply chain, the EU should prioritize investments in research, development, and production facilities for 3D-printed micro-optics within its borders. This strategic move would reduce reliance on external suppliers, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare and technology, mitigating risks associated with potential disruptions in the global supply chain.
Furthermore, the EU should consider offering financial incentives, such as grants or tax breaks, and establishing comprehensive support programs to encourage European companies to adopt 3D printing technologies for micro-optics production. These incentives could include funding for research and development, technology transfer, and workforce training. By fostering a thriving ecosystem for 3D-printed micro-optics within the EU, policymakers can strengthen the European manufacturing base and position the region as a global leader in this emerging technology.
In addition to bolstering the supply chain, the project's findings underscore the importance of investing in human capital. The EU should prioritize educational programs and training initiatives to develop a skilled workforce in 3D printing and micro-optics. This could involve partnering with universities and technical schools to create specialized courses and certifications, as well as providing funding for apprenticeships and internships. By nurturing a talent pool in this field, the EU can create high-quality jobs and ensure that European industry remains competitive in the global market.
Finally, the project highlights the importance of protecting critical infrastructure. As 3D printing technologies become more prevalent, ensuring data security becomes paramount. The EU should develop and enforce stringent data security regulations for 3D printing processes, safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access and potential misuse. Furthermore, investing in research and development of cybersecurity measures tailored for 3D printing technologies will be crucial to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats.
By adopting these comprehensive policy recommendations, the EU can harness the transformative potential of 3D-printed micro-optics to strengthen its industrial base, create high-quality jobs, and protect critical infrastructure. This will not only contribute to a more resilient and competitive European economy but also foster technological innovation and societal benefits in various sectors, from healthcare to consumer electronics.

Speicifications Prototype Lens 1