OPTIMIZATION OF ANNEALING AND 3D PRINTING PROCESS PARAMETERS OF PLA PARTS

Abstract

Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) has gained significant popularity as the prevalent additive manufacturing technique due to its ability to reduce production time and expenses. However, the constraints of limited dimensional precision, poor surface quality, and relatively low Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) hinder compliance with the stringent regulatory norms of conventional manufacturing, necessitating post-processing for enhancement. In this investigation, the response surface method was used to optimize annealing and certain printing parameters in order to enhance the quality of PLA parts produced by FFF. The optimization technique aimed to enhance the UTS and match the CAD dimensions while also minimizing surface roughness. The RSM optimization analysis identified the optimal parameters as: layer height of 0.1 mm, build orientation at 0 degrees, annealing temperature of 110 degrees, and annealing time of 180 dk mm. The proposed models are substantiated by the consistent achievement of high levels of agreement between estimated and experimental response values. A composite desirability value of 0.80 was derived for the variables as a consequence of the optimization investigation.