Bio-Digital Additive Manufacturing: Exploring Opportunities For Digital Fabrication Through New Mixes of Materials Methods and Technologies

Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a plant-based bio-composite which has gained popularity as a more sustainable alternative to non-biodegradable composites. It has a range of applications from biomedical devices to food packaging to 3D printing. Additive manufacturing (AM) using PLA filament and pellets is widely used in research labs and makerspaces. However, the increasing use of PLA for AM poses several challenges, including sustainability concerns. To address these concerns, our research explores techniques for optimizing AM from a design and production perspective, aiming to reduce the need for raw materials. It also explores how PLA can be recycled and blended with other bio-materials in AM. The research involves exploratory parametric design informed by a review of existing literature, material testing and production of full-scale prototypes. Our findings describe opportunities and challenges involved with incorporating recycled material and waste additives and their impacts on printability, visual appearance, texture, aroma and performance qualities