Experimental Investigation to Optimize Build Orientation and Raster Angle for PLA and ABS Specimens Generated by FDM Technology

Abstract

The fused deposition modeling (FDM) process is used increasingly in the manufacture of mechanical parts and more particularly in the automotive and aeronautical fields. The purpose of this work is to optimize build orientation for obtaining polylactic acid (PLA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) samples with the best mechanical properties, dimensional accuracy, surface quality, and minimal total cost. For achieving This, PLA and ABS specimens are fabricated by FDM technology with three build orientations (flat, on edge, upright) and three raster angles (0°, 45°, 90°).at first, the dimensions of the produced samples are measured .secondly, the tensile test, DETLAB equipment was used to obtain tensile stress. In addition, roughness testers were also used to measure surface quality. As a consequence, the findings indicate that the mechanical strength increases with decreasing raster angle and by aligning from upright to flat orientation for both materials due to the fracture mechanism and loading direction. Also, the manufacturing orientation and raster angles significantly affected the dimensional accuracy and total cost. Additionally, there was a big difference in the surface roughness depending on the manufacturing orientation and raster angle; perpendicular measurements increase surface roughness values. We aim to investigate the impact of flat, on-edge, and upright build orientations as well as raster angles on the total cost, tensile strength, dimensional accuracy, and surface roughness of PLA and ABS material through tensile experiments.