FDM 3D PRINTING AS AN ALTERNATIVE FORM OF MAKING PATTERN FOR METAL CASTING: A COMPARISON WITH WOOD-BASED PATTERN

Abstract

The problem with the wood-based design is that it changes size when it absorbs water, which can make the pattern grow and shrink, and the surface goes away, making it unsuitable for mass production. Plastic is the most common 3D printing raw material, and it can be used to build practically any form of object. Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is a type of 3D printing prototyping that may be used to make a plastic design for metal casting. In this project, the metal casting product were evaluated by casting quality and surface roughness for both 3D printed- based pattern and wood-based pattern. For the quality of their castings, both generate the same shape based on the dimensions specified by their respective patterns, but both have experienced gas porosity. For the surface roughness produced from the wood-based pattern, an average Ra value of 1.965 micrometres was recorded, while the average Ra value recorded from the 3D Printed-based pattern was 2.357 micrometres. The findings revealed that wood-based pattern produces a slightly better surface than 3D Printed-based pattern, but 3D Printed is still relevant to be used as a pattern because it is more durable and easier to produce with good time consuming.