Modelling and Simulation of an Aerosol-on-Demand Print Head with Computational Fluid Dynamics

In this paper we present the functional validation of a newly developed concept of a print head for aerosolon-demand printing using fluid dynamical modelling and simulation. In our concept of the aerosol-on-demand print head, the ink is atomised by ultrasonic excitation and focussed by a sheath gas in a converging nozzle. The special feature of this new concept is aerosol generation directly in the print head thus allowing for on demand operation. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), a pre-manufacturing study is being carried out to validate the operation of the concept as well as to find a design-for-manufacture.