Shenzhen Alu Rapid Prototype Precision Co., Ltd.

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  • Can you use powdered starch as a rapid prototype?

Yes, powdered starch can be used as a material for rapid prototyping, particularly in binder jet 3D printing (also known as powder bed and inkjet head printing). This process involves spreading a thin layer of starch powder across a build platform, then using an inkjet print head to selectively deposit a liquid binder—often water—to activate and fuse the starch particles layer by layer, based on a 3D CAD model. Once printing is complete, excess unbound powder is removed, and the "green" part (the initial fragile prototype) can be infiltrated with strengthening agents like wax or epoxy for better handling.

Key Advantages

Speed and Efficiency: Builds are faster than many other additive methods since the powder spreading happens quickly regardless of part complexity, and no support structures are needed—the loose powder itself supports overhangs.

Material Versatility: Starch is inexpensive, biodegradable, and suitable for heat-sensitive applications; it's often combined with additives like gypsum for enhanced strength.

Applications: Commonly used for concept models, architectural mockups, or even food-grade prototypes (e.g., with potato starch in edible inks).

Early commercial systems, like those from Z Corporation (now part of 3D Systems), explicitly used starch-based powders for this purpose. Research continues to improve it, such as through microwave-assisted hardening for quicker post-processing. Overall, it's a cost-effective option for low-volume prototypes, though parts may require infiltration for durability in functional testing.