Melt electrowriting (MEW) is a distinct class of additive manufacturing technologies that generates fibrous and porous macrostructures with microscale resolution from an electrically charged molten polymer. The high-resolution scaffolds produced by MEW have been primarily used for tissue engineering, cancer research, biofabrication and biomaterials. Unfortunately, the commercial MEW device’s prohibitive affordability and lack of standardization of custom devices, represent obstacles to further research. Built on the achievements and affordability of material extrusion 3D printers, we convert an open-source Voron 0.1 printer into a highly capable MEW device, termed as MEWron. To guarantee availability, the use of commercial and affordable components is prioritized, while in the cases where this has not been possible, 3D printed, and easy-to-machine components have been employed. Two main approaches have been followed, the first one focused on the existing material extrusion configuration (i.e., filament-based feeding system and material input) while the second one focuses on a conventional MEW pneumatic feeding system and syringe reservoir. When not including the high voltage supply, both approaches have a final budget below $1000. The manuscript describes all required steps and components to modify a Voron 0.1 printer and provides the computer-aided design (CAD) for required custom components reproduction. Moreover, the MEWron devices' reliability is demonstrated, as well as their potential to extend the MEW field boundaries. We believe that the open-source MEWron device will facilitate unprecedented MEW technology accessibility using a well-established and modifiable platform. (Abstract from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2023.103604)

Here you can find software images of a MEWron melt electrowriting printer. These printers are used for the processing of polymer melts into thin (<50 µm) fibres for biomedical applications.

When building a MEWron, we recommend first reading the original publication. Further information can be found in the GitHub linked below. In the last step of building the MEWron, these images can be flashed onto the printer to understand how it can be configured. However recommend a new installation for your own printers.

These images can be used to be flashed on an SD card to run a MEWron. The two codes provided run either a tubular filament based printer (MEWpi4) or a syringe printer with flat collecor (MEWpi7).

How to install is given in the README.txt