Abstract
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is commonly used to print different products with highly complex features. Process parameters for FDM are divided into controllable or uncontrollable parameters. The most critical ones are built orientation, layer thickness, infill pattern, infill density, and nozzle diameter. This study investigates the effects of combined infill patterns in 3D printed products. Five patterns (solid, honeycomb, wiggle, grid, and rectilinear) were combined in samples to analyze their effects on mechanical properties for tensile strength analysis. Polylactic acid (PLA) samples were printed in different build orientations through two directions: flat and on-edge. The limitation was that the software and machine could not combine the infill patterns. Thus, the patterns were designed and assembled in computer aided design (CAD) software. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to determine the patterns’ features and results showed honeycomb and grid have the highest strength while their weights were lighter compared to solid. Moreover, 0° samples in both flat and on-edge direction had the strongest layer adhesion and the best quality. In contrast, perpendicular samples like 60° and 75° showed poor adhesion and were the weakest specimens in both flat and on-edge, respectively. In brief, by increasing the build orientation, the strength decreases in this study.
Highlights
These days, developing complex products is achievable thanks to the additive manufacturing (AM) due to flexibility and freeform design
The following step was to analyze the strength of each sample
The final results were analyzed to find out the maximum strength of samples in different build orientations
Summary
These days, developing complex products is achievable thanks to the additive manufacturing (AM) due to flexibility and freeform design. 3D printing (3DP) is an alternate name for AM process which was used for rapid prototyping techniques. It can be used in automotive industries [1], medical applications [2], aerospace [3], and construction [4]. AM processes have been chosen as a capable process to print soft and smart materials, which is known as 4D printing, as well [5]. The range of material is limited for these processes and more materials should be analyzed to become more compatible The nature of this technology is to build the products layer by layer from bottom to the top which is in contrast with conventional processes.
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