Multiobjective Optimization of Stereolithography for Dental Bridge Based on a Simple Shape Model Using Taguchi and Response Surface Methods

Abstract

Stereolithography (SLA) has become an essential photocuring 3D printing process for producing parts of complex shapes from photosensitive resin exposed to UV light. The selection of the best printing parameters for good accuracy and surface quality can be further complicated by the geometric complexity of the models. This work introduces multiobjective optimization of SLA printing of 3D dental bridges based on simple CAD objects. The effect of the best combination of a low-cost resin 3D printer’s machine parameter settings, namely normal exposure time, bottom exposure time and bottom layers for less dimensional deviation and surface roughness, was studied. A multiobjective optimization method was utilized, combining the Taguchi method with response surface methodology and the desirability function technique. The predicted optimal values for the cube’s dimensional deviation and surface roughness were 0.0517 mm and 2.8079 µm, respectively. The experiments’ validation of the findings confirmed the results, which were determined to be 0.0560 and 0.064667 mm and 2.770 and 2.6431 µm for the dimensional deviation and surface roughness for the cube and bridge, respectively. The percentages of prediction errors between the predicted optimum results and the printed response were 7.68% and 1.36% for dimensional deviation and surface roughness, respectively. This study demonstrates that the robust method used produced a dental bridge with good accuracy and a smooth surface.