Additive Manufacturing of Polycaprolactone (PCL) Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Additive manufacturing through materials extrusion is recognized as a promising method for scaffold fabrication, thanks to its affordability, versatility, and widespread applicability across various materials. Achieving the desired properties in tissue engineering necessitates a reliable and controllable printing process. In this study, analytical models have been formulated to simulate the geometric features of cylindrical polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds manufactured through materials extrusion-based additive manufacturing, employing principles of fluid mechanics. The geometric attributes of the PCL scaffold can be anticipated by considering extrusion pressure, temperature, nozzle diameter, nozzle length, and printing speed. To validate the effectiveness of the models, they are compared against experimental results. The simulation outcomes reveal a robust correlation between geometric characteristics and processing parameters, highlighting the utility of the developed models in predicting the scaffold structure's geometric features in materials extrusion-based additive manufacturing.