Abstract
This work presented an FEM (finite element method) mathematical model that describes the temperature distribution in different parts of a 3D printer based on additive manufacturing process using filament extrusion during its operation. Variation in properties also originate from inconsistent choices of process parameters employed by individual manufacturers. Therefore, a mathematical model that calculates temperature changes in the filament (and the resulting print) during an FFF (fused filament fabrication) process was deemed useful, as it can estimate otherwise immeasurable properties (such as the internal temperature of the filament during the printing). Two variants of the model (both static and dynamic) were presented in this work. They can provide the user with the material’s thermal history during the print. Such knowledge may be used in further analyses of the resulting prints. Thanks to the dynamic model, the cooling of the material on the printing bed can be traced for various printing speeds. Both variants simulate the printing of a PLA (Polylactic acid) filament with the nozzle temperature of 220 °C, bed temperature of 60 °C, and printing speed of 5, 10, and 15 m/s, respectively.
Highlights
The principle of the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) printer is based on the extrusion of melted thermoplastic material and its deposition on the printing platform layer by layer
Our work aimed to describe the temperature distribution around these components, and especially around the printed material
The temperature inside the printed material under the nozzle could reach 110–120 ◦ C. Such temperature exceeds the glass transition temperature of PLA and is approaching the melting point, which ranged from 130 to 220 ◦ C [13]. It is consistent with the principle of additive manufacturing; the bottom layer is partially melted, and the top layer sticks to it
Summary
The principle of the FFF printer is based on the extrusion of melted thermoplastic material and its deposition on the printing platform (bed) layer by layer. Further description is based on the design of the 3D printer MK3S from Prusa Research company (Czech Republic), which represents one of the most common types of FFF printers. They are based on the RepRap concept, which is characterized by that part of the printer components is printed by another printer. It consists of a heatsink that dissipates heat and ensures that the filament is not melted prematurely, and a hot-end part with an extrusion nozzle.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
