OPTIMIZATION OF 3D PRINTING PARAMETERS TO MECHANICAL STRENGTH IMPROVEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE PRINTING MATERIAL USING RSM

Abstract

Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), one of the most widely used methods of Additive Manufacturing Technique known as 3D Printing, is a popular technique used to produce different engineering components using common engineering polymers. PLA filament, a synthetic polymer derived from corn starch, is generally used in production with the FDM. Although PLA material is recyclable and biodegradable, its carbon emission is not zero. One of the filament types developed to produce more sustainable products is Wood PLA filament materials. This study presents an experimental study examining the effect of printing parameters on the mechanical properties of components produced with Wood PLA filaments. The effects of the printing parameters determined as infill pattern, infill density and nozzle temperature on the mechanical strength parameter determined as tensile strength and bending strength of PLA Wood samples produced in standard sizes were investigated experimentally. The experimental design was carried out in accordance with the Taguchi L9 orthogonal array, and the relationship between the printing parameters and the mechanical strength parameters was modelled mathematically. The estimated strength values calculated using mathematical models were compared with the experimental test results. The results showed that the tensile strength and flexural strength values were directly proportional to the infill density. Experiments have shown that the most effective 3D printing parameter on the mechanical strength parameters is the infill density parameter with a contribution ratio of 63.09% for tensile strength and 73.83% for flexural strength.