Systematic Experimental Evaluation of Function Based Cellular Lattice Structure Manufactured by 3D Printing

Shaheen Perween,Muhammad Fahad,Maqsood A Khan

doi:10.3390/app112110489

Shaheen Perween, Muhammad Fahad + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app112110489

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Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) has a greater potential to construct lighter parts, having complex geometries with no additional cost, by embedding cellular lattice structures within an object. The geometry of lattice structure can be engineered to achieve improved strength and extra level of performance with the advantage of consuming less material and energy. This paper provides a systematic experimental evaluation of a series of cellular lattice structures, embedded within a cylindrical specimen and constructed according to terms and requirements of ASTMD1621-16, which is standard for the compressive properties of rigid cellular plastics. The modeling of test specimens is based on function representation (FRep) and constructed by fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology. Two different test series, each having eleven test specimens of different parameters, are printed along with their replicates of 70% and 100% infill density. Test specimens are subjected to uniaxial compressive load to produce 13% deformation to the height of the specimen. Comparison of results reveals that specimens, having cellular lattice structure and printed with 70% infill density, exhibit greater strength and improvement in strength to mass ratio, as compared to the solid printed specimen without structure.

Highlights

Additive manufacturing (AM), mostly referred to as 3D printing, is known as the family of processes used to manufacture parts by accumulating thin layers of material over the previously deposited one
Among all of the AM machines, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is third in top of the line machines, for its characteristics of producing functional parts of complex geometry, using various thermoplastic materials safely within a closed environment [11]
This study presented an innovative approach to optimize the use of infill material at the inner region by assigning values to percentage of infill material, frequency, and vertical shift, which determines the thickness and the distance between the bars of the cellular lattice structure

Summary

Introduction

Additive manufacturing (AM), mostly referred to as 3D printing, is known as the family of processes used to manufacture parts by accumulating thin layers of material over the previously deposited one. The acceptance of cellular lattice structure directly relates to the advancements and capabilities of AM processes to create design complexities without increasing manufacturing cost. According to the details mentioned above, objects made up of cellular lattice structure provides the benefits of reduction in weight, material, larger surface area to volume ratio, and, for some particular AM processes, less time and energy requirements. Function based approach is applied to the design and modeling of the series of cellular lattice structure, and performance of each member of series is determined through experimental investigation.

Methodology

Material

Testing Procedure

Findings

Second Test Series