Characteristics and performance of carabiner remodeling using 3D printing with graded filler and different orientation methods

Abstract

A carabiner model was used to observe the characteristics of the filament deposition process, the performance of the carabiner after printing, and the remodeling of the carabiner using different design parameters. The manufacturing process used 3D printing with Polylactic Acid (PLA) as the material and the three aspects were evaluated. Specimens were set in three printing orientations and five different infill density, where 15 models and a total of 75 specimens with different variations were tested. The deposition process played an important role in 3D printing, and failure occurs during the printing process because of various flaws. The failure mode and strength of the model was obtained using a tensile test according to ASTM F1956-13. The results showed that the X orientation with 100% infill had the greatest strength at 10.26 MPa. The failure mode behavior in the X orientation occurred at the specimen’s edge, where the highest load occurred. The study also evaluated the cost and time efficiency of the manufacturing process with different orientations, where higher density equals more filament deposition and weight concern. This research discusses how orientation and infill density can affect the quality and efficiency of a product produced by a 3D printing manufacturing process.