TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR 3D MODELING PROJECTS OF PLASTIC MATERIALS MANUFACTURED BY FUSED DEPOSITION: GUIDANCE AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Abstract

Industry 4.0 is being progressively implemented in the contemporary production model, and its establishment is associated with applying different enabling technologies in different industrial sectors. Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, has become one of the main pillars shaping this new industrial model. The emergence of this new production model is associated with a growing demand for new products manufactured using non-conventional techniques. However, this change in the production process requires specific documentation that, subject to the new standards, defines and regulates all the aspects and restrictions necessary for creating and developing products obtained through enabling technologies. By specifying the requirements necessary for the proper development of projects using additive manufacturing, the aim of these documents is to ensure that materials, products, and processes fulfil their purpose, reducing production costs and increasing effectiveness. These documents, known as technical specifications, are drawn up freely by each designer, as there are no specific regulations implemented to regulate them in a unified way. A guide is presented to prepare the technical specifications that must accompany all projects involving additive manufacturing processes. Specifically, the proposed guide contemplates the most relevant aspects and recommendations that streamline the preparation and drafting of the technical specifications in projects that use 3D modelling techniques for plastic materials manufactured by fused deposition. The recommendations included herein will serve as a guide for all agents involved in the production process, both current and future, thus contributing to an increase in the success rate and quality of the parts developed in projects based on applying this enabling technology. Keywords: Additive manufacturing, Industry 4.0, fused deposition modelling, technical specifications, standards.