Recommended 3D Printer(s)
Thermoplastic extrusion, multiple extruders
Stereolithography/optical
Binder jetting
Recommended Printing Material
Dependent on application; for mimicking soft plaque in CT images, use Formlabs Flexible resin
Recommended Support Material
Scale At Given Print Units
Pre- and Postprocessing Instructions
For SLA: rinse in isopropyl alcohol to remove excess resin; use a syringe to flush out the inside of hollow models. Cut supports off manually; to achieve smoother surface finish, refrigerate models until rigid and use sandpaper to smooth ridges from supports on surface of model. (Time required: ~1 hr)
For Polyjet: manually remove as much support material as possible from the outside of all models and inside of hollow models; use water to flush out support material from the inside of hollow models; you may also need a needle-like object to help you clean out the inside. (Time required: ~ 2 hrs)
For FDM: print with soluble supports; manually remove as much support material as possible; allow samples to soak until support material is removed. If using Stratasys soluble support material (e.g. QSR) and support removal tank, allow soaking in malic acid solution at 40 deg C for up to 48 hours. (Time required: ~2 days)