In additive manufacturing technologies, the use of pastes and inks based on materials such as clay to create three-dimensional objects layer by layer has opened new possibilities in fields such as engineering and biomedicine. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of 3D printing of ceramic pastes through Direct Ink Writing (DIW), also referred to as Robocasting. DIW offers specific advantages for ceramic 3D printing, including the ability to extrude highly loaded pastes with customized rheological properties to accommodate a broad spectrum of ceramic compositions, varying from conventional clays to advanced ceramics. It is characterized by filament deposition control, which facilitates the fabrication of complex, porous, or customized architectures while simultaneously minimizing material waste. Through a bibliometric analysis of the literature published between 2020 and 2024, the most relevant studies regarding printing system architectures, ceramic paste formulations, and adjustment of parameters to obtain high-quality parts were identified. This work presents relevant and accurate explanations of the DIW technology, supporting researchers and industry professionals seeking to initiate or improve ceramic 3D printing processes for a wide range of applications.

La fabricación digital crea piezas terminadas a partir de modelos diseñados en computador con base en procesos de manufactura CAD-CAM, que abren camino a la flexibilidad y a la productividad en la industria. Este trabajo presenta una herramienta informática que asiste el diseño de equipos de fabricación digital para piezas de geometría compleja a través de control numérico computarizado. Se parte de la identificación de las características de procesos de manufactura susceptibles de automatización y se establece un referente para definir el diseño mecánico, electrónico y de control de un equipo de posicionamiento tridimensional, para ello, a través de una herramienta informática, se definen los parámetros de construcción de los sistemas de posicionamiento, se señalan las variables, las constantes y los criterios, para que mediante la aplicación de teorías referentes al diseño electromecánico, se realicen los cálculos necesarios de los componentes pertenecientes al equipo. Finalmente, una interfaz de usuario permite incorporar los datos, proporcionar los resultados del diseño del equipo y obtener el diseño CAD estructural del sistema de posicionamiento.

This research was conducted to identify two acceptable precursors and methods of synthesis for the manufacture of photovoltaic cells. The kesterite Cu₂ZnSnSe₄, a promising material for solar cell applications, was synthesized from metal salts of Cu, Zn, Sn, and Se, by two low-cost routes: the direct dissolution of metal nitrates, and coprecipitation of selenites. In both cases, inks were obtained and deposited as thin-films by the Doctor Blade technique on glass substrates coated with molybdenum. The films were annealed in an oven at 550 °C by 30 minutes. The phases of each thin film were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering. The morphology and the thickness of the layers were observed using a scanning electron microscope. The optical band gap was determined by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and the Tauc equation. The results confirmed the main phase of kesterite material, consistent with a tetragonal crystalline system oriented along the plane (112). These values are consistent with those found by Raman spectroscopy, where the main vibrational mode was identified at 173 cm⁻¹ and 196 cm⁻¹, characteristic of mode A vibration, and 243 cm⁻¹ of mode B vibration; typical of kesterite. Simultaneously, a band gap of 0.89 eV was identified. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the selenite’s coprecipitation method for synthesis of kesterite, without evidence of secondary phases. This determines the possibility of using this material in solar cell applications.

Películas delgadas de Ti-Zr-Si-N se depositaron sobre sustratos de acero inoxidable 316 L usando la técnica de co-sputtering reactivo. El análisis de la estructura se realizó mediante difracción de rayos X (DRX), el análisis morfológico se realizó por microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB) y microscopía óptica 3D. Los estudios de oxidación cíclica se realizaron en un horno en ambiente seco con un total de 300 ciclos, cada uno con una tasa de calentamiento de 46 °C/min hasta lograr una temperatura de 600 °C, la cual fue sostenida durante 30 min y finalmente enfriado a 20 °C/min. Los recubrimientos mejoraron la resistencia a la corrosión del acero inoxidable a altas temperaturas en un 30% debido a la formación de óxidos protectores. En este trabajo se discute el mecanismo de corrosión por oxidación cíclica para los recubrimientos realizados.

Glass additive manufacturing (AM) is a developing technology, particularly in comparison to metals and polymers, both of which have had their processes and applications extensively studied. Its potential lies in fabricating complex, even micrometric, geometries that are difficult or impossible to achieve via traditional molding, as well as in producing components with unique optical properties. The diversity of AM techniques, alongside the challenges associated with the high melting point, rheological control, and fragility of glass, necessitates a comprehensive analysis of current developments. Accordingly, this review presents a systematic review, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA protocol, of recent literature regarding AM technologies that fabricate glass via particle fusion to form solid components. This review explicitly excludes techniques utilizing glass fibers as reinforcement, as that constitutes a separate field of inquiry. The results demonstrate sustained growth within the field, with a predominance of technologies based on photopolymerization and ink extrusion, both of which offer high resolution and microstructural control. Ultimately, this review establishes the current state of the art, identifying critical challenges and emerging lines of research to guide future development. It is intended to serve as a foundational reference for researchers and professionals seeking to initiate or expand their work in glass AM.