Background

What is CAL?

Computed Axial Lithography (CAL) is a novel method of volumetric additive manufacturing (VAM) which uses computerized tomography scans to print three dimensional objects from photo-curable resin. Traditional AM methods, such as fused deposition modeling or stereolithography, build 3D structures layer-by-layer, which imposes dimensional and surface-finish limitations, e.g. in the case of smoothly curving geometries. CAL, on the other hand, projects a series of 2D images onto a rotating, cylindrical vial filled with a photo-polymer.

CAL was developed by a collaboration between UC Berkeley and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Applications

CAL has great potential to be used for bioprinting due to its speed and material versatility. One of the materials we use is GelMA, or gelatin methacrylate, mixed with a photoinitiator; this is a biocompatible hydrogel with fast printing times and highly tunable material properties.

Why open-source?

OpenCAL is intended to serve VAM enthusiasts and institutions alike. We hope that our design will be used as a template which can be tweaked to meet the experimental needs of various end users.