An Open-Sourced, Community-Driven Volumetric Additive Manufacturing Printer and Post-Processor (2509.02865v1)

Abstract: OpenCAL is a low cost CAL based printing and post processing platform developed using commercial off the shelf (COTS) components and standard rapid prototyping tools. The system incorporates recent advancements in VAM, including Optical Scattering Tomography (OST), and is designed with modularity to support future technological integration. The post processing systems developed include standardized procedures for solvent based removal of uncured resin and a centrifugal cleaning module for enhanced material recovery. To support the continued advancement of this technology, multiple community engagement pathways have been established to foster the collaborative development of the OpenCAL ecosystem. A primary deployment environment for OpenCAL is academic makerspaces, where the system is specifically designed to leverage the rapid prototyping tools typically available in these facilities. OpenCAL not only introduces advanced volumetric additive manufacturing capabilities to makerspaces but also serves as a platform for hands on education in emerging manufacturing technologies, photopolymer science, and computational imaging. By lowering the barriers to entry for volumetric printing research, OpenCAL enables a broader range of students, from undergraduate to graduate levels, to engage directly in experimental research, contribute to the refinement of open source CAL technologies, and participate in interdisciplinary projects spanning materials science, mechanical engineering, and computer science. In doing so, OpenCAL has the potential to significantly expand the technical capabilities of academic makerspaces, transforming them into hubs for next generation manufacturing innovation and research driven learning.