MIT startup Inkbit creates 3D printer powered by machine-vision and AI

At the end of 2018, we told you about the creation of a consortium dedicated to additive manufacturing by MIT – the Additive and Digital Advanced Production Technologies (APT) center seeks to accelerate the implementation of additive manufacturing and to invent its future. However, this is not the only way MIT is having an influence and shaping the development of AM technologies – a startup straight out of MIT, Inkbit, is working towards overcoming traditional constraints to 3D printing by giving its machines ‘eyes’ and a ‘brain’. The industrial 3D printer developed by Inkbit is a multimaterial machine capable of printing extremely flexible materials with great accuracy. Supposedly, it is more accurate than competitors.

The startup is pushing the capabilities of its machine by offering a solution that combines high-speed, high-precision and high-quality materials. What do they mean by a machine that has eyes and a brain? Inkbit’s multimaterial inkjet printer is equipped with machine-vision and machine learning systems. The machine-vision system scans each layer that is being printed and corrects errors in real time. Additionally, the machine-learning system uses this information to predict the warping behavior of materials.

Inkbit’s 3D printer | Credits: Inkbit

The founder of Inkbit explains that their 3D printer is capable of precisely printing around a computer chip or other electronic component for example. Once the object is finalised, it will keep a digital replica that can be used for quality assurance. Davide Marini, CEO and co-founder of Inkbit adds, “Everyone knows the advantages of 3D printing are enormous. But most people are experiencing problems adopting it. The technology just isn’t there yet. Our machine is the first one that can learn the properties of a material and predict its behavior. I believe it will be transformative, because it will enable anyone to go from an idea to a usable product extremely quickly. It opens up business opportunities for everyone.”