Experimental Investigation on Effect of Shell Thickness and Infill Density on Mechanical Properties of Polymer 3D Printing Process (MEX)

Abstract

Abstract: A cutting-edge advancement in advanced manufacturing is the use of a revolutionary technique called threedimensional printing. The primary objective of three-dimensional printing, in comparison to traditional manufacturing methods, is to efficiently create intricate geometries in a shorter timeframe while maintaining the desired characteristics of the object. This task cannot be achieved by conventional production methods. In order to produce any component, it is vital for us to get the necessary material and then secure the power supply. In the process of three-dimensional printing, a diverse range of materials, such as polymers, metal powders, ceramic powder, and others, are used. Several variables contribute to the situation, including the amount of material used. In this specific instance, we are striving to maximize the use of material while maintaining the product's quality prior to printing. The criteria that have the most significant influence on the quantity of material required and the printing time are mostly determined by several key features. This category encompasses several factors, like layer height, infill density, print speed, shell thickness, and more. Furthermore, the line width or layer width is an additional criterion that significantly affects the amount of material used. Expanding the line width will lead to a higher expenditure of material, while reducing the layer width will result in a reduction in material consumption. The breadth of a layer is directly proportional to the amount of material used. The width of this line directly affects the duration of the printing process, the strength of the bond, and the quality of the completed product's surface. Significant changes in the line width could potentially lead to a print failure. Our objective is to enhance the efficiency of material use and printing time by adjusting the line width while maintaining the same layer height and applying various infill densities. This will allow us to maintain a consistent layer height. This research unequivocally proves that a model with 100% infill has no impact on the amount of material required. However, it does result in an increased printing time as the shell thickness decreases, printing time increases. The discoveries made in this study clearly demonstrate this. However, the layer width exhibits varying behavior depending on the kind of infill utilized. Decreasing the degree of infill not only reduces the amount of material used, but also increases the printing time.