Precision Needle Assembly (Bioprinting)

Coaxial and triaxial bioprinting needle assemblies with micron-level alignment at ~70% lower cost.

Back to Projects

Overview

Designed and developed high-precision coaxial and triaxial needle assemblies for bioprinting. Achieved micron-level concentricity while cutting per-unit cost by ~70%, enabling scalable experimentation and integration into an operational bioprinter.

Problem

Commercial multi-lumen bioprinting needles are expensive and difficult to customize; maintaining micron-level alignment is challenging and often requires costly machining.

Solution

Created precision needle assemblies using custom interfaces plus purchased precision components to achieve tight concentricity without bespoke machining for every part. Architecture prioritized cost reduction and repeatability.

My Role

• Mechanical design and manufacturing process development
• Designed alignment features for micron-level concentricity
• Defined controlled assembly workflows with alternating precision components

Technical Details

• Configurations: Coaxial and triaxial needle assemblies
• Precision: Micron-level alignment between concentric needles
• Manufacturing: Custom interfaces + purchased precision components; controlled assembly
• Application: Bioprinting

Key Engineering Objective

Deliver multi-material bioprinting precision while reducing manufacturing cost and keeping alignment accuracy.

Validation

• Fully integrated into the bioprinting system
• Validated through operational printing, not bench-only tests
• Demonstrated stable alignment and repeatable performance

Cost Optimization

Reduced per-assembly cost about a 70% reduction while maintaining micron-level alignment.

Outcome

Delivered production-adjacent precision needle hardware for bioprinting, enabling cost-effective, repeatable multi-material work in an R&D setting.

Build Gallery