Development of graphics user interface (GUI) for process planning in extrusion based additive manufacturing

Abstract

Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is one of the most popular additive manufacturing processes. In this technology a wire form polymer material is fed in a hot chamber and melt of this wire form material is deposited in layer over layer fashion using tool path obtained from solid model of the part. For, FFF process, to convert the solid model data into tool path, there are number of software available. Pellets form material could be good substitute for filament form material. Pellet extrusion is controlled by different process parameters than filament extrusion. There is no software available in market which could be utilized for process planning of pellet extrusion. Hence, in this study development of a graphic user interface (GUI) using MATLAB, for process planning of pellets as well as filament extrusion has been presented.