OPTIMIZATION OF FUSED DEPOSITION MODELING PROCESS PARAMETERS FOR MATERIAL CONSUMPTION AND MANUFACTURING TIME

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the effect of layer thickness, infill density and build orientation on the material consumption and manufacturing time of specimens printed by the fused deposition modeling process. Specimens in accordance with ASTM Standards were printed by varying the process parameters such as layer thickness, infill density and build orientation. Time required to manufacture the part and amount of material consumed during the process are recorded. Increase in infill density results into increase in material consumption and manufacturing time. Layer thickness and build orientation also impacts manufacturing time and material consumption respectively. With increased application of FDM process, determining the process parameter to decrease the material consumption and manufacturing time shall help the FDM practitioners globally. Present work elucidates the optimization of FDM process parameters to achieve minimum material consumption and manufacturing time.