A holistic approach of reconfigurable mould based fused deposition modelling for producing overhanging parts

Abstract

ABSTRACT Fused decomposition modelling (FDM) is a sustainable additive manufacturing process of the 21st century. Due to the increasing trend of customer-oriented manufacturing processes, FDM can provide a better solution for the manufacturing industry. However, it suffers from a lot of hindrances like high build time, inadequate strength, low surface roughness, the requirement of the support structure, and materials constraint during producing overhanging parts. Therefore a holistic approach to producing overhanging parts is required for any FDM industry. Based on a vast literature survey and performing pilot basis experiments, some good technical and managerial insights have been suggested for improving the quality of FDM products in terms of surface roughness, strength, and proper selection of materials. Another salient feature of the research paper is to provide an integrated reconfigurable mould based FDM approach for producing overhanging parts. The proposed integrated systems not only eliminate the requirement for a support structure but also decrease the build time. Some pilot basis experiments have been carried out for producing overhanging parts, which reveal that the proposed integrated systems eliminate the requirement of the support structure and, it also decreases build time approximately by 15% and materials requirement by 30%.