{"id":25891812,"url":"https://github.com/lamm-mit/beaver","last_synced_at":"2026-06-08T17:31:54.424Z","repository":{"id":276366932,"uuid":"833342034","full_name":"lamm-mit/BEAVER","owner":"lamm-mit","description":null,"archived":false,"fork":false,"pushed_at":"2025-02-07T19:12:59.000Z","size":32224,"stargazers_count":0,"open_issues_count":0,"forks_count":0,"subscribers_count":1,"default_branch":"main","last_synced_at":"2025-03-02T20:34:54.102Z","etag":null,"topics":[],"latest_commit_sha":null,"homepage":null,"language":"Python","has_issues":true,"has_wiki":null,"has_pages":null,"mirror_url":null,"source_name":null,"license":"apache-2.0","status":null,"scm":"git","pull_requests_enabled":true,"icon_url":"https://github.com/lamm-mit.png","metadata":{"files":{"readme":"README.md","changelog":null,"contributing":null,"funding":null,"license":"LICENSE","code_of_conduct":null,"threat_model":null,"audit":null,"citation":null,"codeowners":null,"security":null,"support":null,"governance":null,"roadmap":null,"authors":null,"dei":null,"publiccode":null,"codemeta":null}},"created_at":"2024-07-24T21:06:07.000Z","updated_at":"2025-02-07T19:13:02.000Z","dependencies_parsed_at":"2025-02-07T20:34:42.314Z","dependency_job_id":null,"html_url":"https://github.com/lamm-mit/BEAVER","commit_stats":null,"previous_names":["lamm-mit/beaver"],"tags_count":0,"template":false,"template_full_name":null,"purl":"pkg:github/lamm-mit/BEAVER","repository_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/lamm-mit%2FBEAVER","tags_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/lamm-mit%2FBEAVER/tags","releases_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/lamm-mit%2FBEAVER/releases","manifests_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/lamm-mit%2FBEAVER/manifests","owner_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/owners/lamm-mit","download_url":"https://codeload.github.com/lamm-mit/BEAVER/tar.gz/refs/heads/main","sbom_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/lamm-mit%2FBEAVER/sbom","scorecard":null,"host":{"name":"GitHub","url":"https://github.com","kind":"github","repositories_count":286080680,"owners_count":34073731,"icon_url":"https://github.com/github.png","version":null,"created_at":"2022-05-30T11:31:42.601Z","updated_at":"2026-05-26T15:22:16.424Z","status":"online","status_checked_at":"2026-06-08T02:00:07.615Z","response_time":111,"last_error":null,"robots_txt_status":"success","robots_txt_updated_at":"2025-07-24T06:49:26.215Z","robots_txt_url":"https://github.com/robots.txt","online":true,"can_crawl_api":true,"host_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub","repositories_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories","repository_names_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repository_names","owners_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/owners"}},"keywords":[],"created_at":"2025-03-02T20:31:22.870Z","updated_at":"2026-06-08T17:31:54.405Z","avatar_url":"https://github.com/lamm-mit.png","language":"Python","funding_links":[],"categories":[],"sub_categories":[],"readme":"# BEAVER: An Open-Source and Low-Cost Dual Extruder 3D Printer for Macroscale Biotic Materials \n\nWe report the design and fabrication of a novel, dual-extruder biotic 3D printer tailored for precise deposition of natural biomaterials such as pectin, chitosan, and cellulose. Moving beyond the limitations of traditional thermoplastic extrusion, this printer utilizes a syringe-based mechanical extruder to deposit viscous biotic material hydrogels. The integration of a dual-extruder system enables the creation of multi-material prints and complex geometries, offering new possibilities for sustainable and bio-inspired manufacturing. Designed with accessibility and versatility in mind, the system features user-friendly operation suitable for non-experts, open-source hardware and software, and compatibility with a wide range of biomaterials. This platform addresses existing challenges in biomaterial 3D printing, such as limited material diversity and geometric complexity, while supporting diverse applications in biomaterials research and sustainable design. By providing a robust, customizable, and open-source platform, this work aims to empower researchers, educators, and innovators to advance biomaterials research and expand the reach of sustainable additive manufacturing. The printer fosters a collaborative community and lays the groundwork for further exploration of bio-inspired designs and materials. \n\n## Overview\nBEAVER is an open-source syringe-based dual-extruder FDM 3D Printer that uses natural biotic material feedstock such as pectin, chitosan, and cellulose. Unlike traditional FDM printers that rely on thermoplastics, this printer deposits viscous biocomposites that dry over time. This project aims to enable accessible research and development in sustainable, bio-based manufacturing.\n\n![Printer Render](Media/Final_Render.png)\n\n## Repository Organization\nThis repository is structured as follows:\n\n### 1. **CAD/**\n   - Contains the full printer assembly files in Autodesk Fusion format.\n   - Includes individual component models and assemblies.\n\n### 2. **BOM/**\n   - Excel spreadsheet listing all required components.\n   - Includes part, quantities, and linked sources.\n\n### 3. **Slicer Profile/**\n   - PrusaSlicer profile tailored for BEAVER.\n   - Post-processing script for altering sliced files for dual-extruder printing.\n\n### 4. **RepRap Config/**\n   - `config.zip`: Contains all necessary configuration files for RepRapFirmware on the Duet 3 6HC.\n   - `macros.zip`: Collection of macros for printer calibration and workflow.\n\n## Getting Started\n1. **Hardware Setup:**\n   - Assemble the printer according to the CAD files.\n   - Ensure all mechanical components are properly installed and secured.\n   - The frame is assembled used blind joints.\n\n2. **Electronics \u0026 Firmware:**\n   - Set up the Duet 3 Main Board 6HC in SBC mode with the Raspberry Pi and Duet 3 Expansion Board 3HC according to the Duet start up guide.\n   - Extract the contents of `RepRap Config/config.zip` and upload them in the Duet Web Control page.\n   - Load macros from `macros.zip` for Z-offset calibration and operation.\n\n3. **Slicing \u0026 Printing:**\n   - Install PrusaSlicer and import the provided profile.\n   - Adjust slicing settings based on the material being printed.\n   - Generate G-code and upload it to the Duet Web Control interface.\n   - For dual material printer, upload the post-processor according to PrusaSlicer instructions.\n\n## Sample prints\n\n![image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/1578a760-f733-4c75-8890-14192d6b19f7)\n\nExamples of BEAVER single and dual material 3D prints. A) A single material test print of the biomaterial 3D printer of a vase-like structure. B) A calibration cube printed on the biomaterial 3D printer for testing and calibrating the dimensional accuracy and E-steps of the printer. An example of a simple dual material 3D printer in which the layers are printed with alternating extruders C) immediately after finishing printing and D) the same print fully dried. A wall can be seen printed around the model, this is both a priming tower and an ooze shield used when swapping between the extruders. E) A render of a dual material 3D print meant to replicate potential research uses for the printer in the future, a hexagonal lattice with inner tubules. F) The bio-inspired dual material print after fully drying and post-processing. G) The same bio-inspired model mid-print. The print can be seen with the same priming wall as in the previous dual material print.  \n\n## Notes\n- This project fully functioning, any future updates will continue to be upload here.\n- Contributions and improvements from the community are welcome!\n\n## License\nThis project is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND) license. This means you are free to share the material with proper attribution, but you may not use it for commercial purposes or create derivative works.\n\n## Citation\n\nPlease cite this work as follows:\n\n```bibtex\n@article{BEAVERdeAlvaBuehler2025,\n      title={An Open-Source and Low-Cost Dual Extruder 3D Printer for Macroscale Biotic Materials}, \n      author={Jesse P. de Alva and Markus J. Buehler},\n      year={2025},\n      eprint={xxx.yyyyy},\n      archivePrefix={},\n      primaryClass={},\n      url={}, \n}```\n","project_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Flamm-mit%2Fbeaver","html_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/projects/github.com%2Flamm-mit%2Fbeaver","lists_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Flamm-mit%2Fbeaver/lists"}