Performance evaluation of different 3D printing techniques for PCL-based scaffold fabrication

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a widely employed biodegradable thermoplastic polymer that finds extensive use in the development of scaffolds for hard tissue engineering, including bone and cartilage regeneration. Different 3D printing methods are available for fabricating PCL-based scaffolds, utilizing various forms of raw materials such as powder, pellets, and filaments. The selection of an appropriate technique for a specific application demands a thorough understanding of the characteristics associated with each method. To ensure standardized and uniform comparisons, this study employs a multi-head 3D printer equipped with three distinct printheads: screw-based extrusion (SBE), filament-based deposition (FBD), and melt-based extrusion (MBE). The performance of these printing techniques is evaluated based on several criteria, including printing speed, printing accuracy, equipment cost, pre-printing time, and waste material generation. Thorough experimentation is conducted to assess the performance and determine the strengths and limitations of each printing technique in scaffold fabrication. The findings of this investigation offer valuable insights and recommendations for selecting an appropriate printing technique tailored to specific requirements in tissue engineering applications.