A study of Fused Filament Fabrication process efficiency: ABS vs PLA materials

Abstract

A study of the shape accuracy of pieces created using the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) process is presented. Accuracy of the parts coming from 3D Printing (3DP) technologies is an essential criterion, primarily when used in assembly configurations. Two polymers; PLA and ABS, three infill percentages; 20, 50, and 70 (%), three numbers for shells; 1, 2 and 3 and three different layer heights; 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 (mm) were the variables and their corresponding levels. A benchmark specimen was designed whilst nine experiments were performed according to the Taguchi methodology. Dimensional accuracy readings then followed, and the results were analysed using descriptive statistical tools such as analysis of means (ANOM), analysis of variance (ANOVA) and contour plots. The presented results indicate that 3D printed parts of PLA material exhibited better dimensional accuracy than ABS ones.