PLA Samples Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of Mechanical Characteristics: Ultrasonically Compacted vs. Conventionally Additive Manufactured Polymeric Samples

This scientific paper presents a comparative analysis of the mechanical characteristics of PLA samples fabricated through conventional AM methods and AM then ultrasonically compacted. The study aims to assess the potential advantages and limitations of ultrasonic compaction of PLA AM samples, as a reinforcing manufacturing technique. The methodology involves the fabrication of PLA samples using AM processes, then ultrasonically compact part of them to make a comparative study on their mechanical characteristics, including tensile strength. Additionally, the surface morphology and internal microstructure of the samples are analysed using microscopy techniques. The results of the study provide insights into the mechanical performance and structural integrity of the ultrasonically compacted samples compared to the conventionally PLA AM samples. The findings highlight any potential improvements or limitations in terms of mechanical properties, such as strength, durability, and overall performance.

The Abrasive Water Jet Cutting Process of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polylactic Acid Samples Obtained by Additive Manufacturing: A Comparative Analysis

Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are widely used across industries due to their enhanced strength and stiffness properties. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) enables the cost-effective production of polymer samples, such as carbon-fiber-reinforced PLA (CFR-PLA). However, CFRP’s hardness and anisotropic nature present significant challenges in conventional machining, including rapid tool wear and thermal sensitivity. Consequently, abrasive water jet machining (AWJM) has proven to be an effective alternative for machining CFRP materials, offering benefits such as reduced tool wear, minimized thermal damage, and improved cutting quality. This study focuses on a comparative analysis of the effects of AWJM parameters on PLA and CFR-PLA samples, specifically to evaluate the influence of carbon fiber reinforcement on machining performance. The findings highlight the critical role of reinforcements in machining behavior. The results suggest that optimizing cutting parameters significantly reduces taper formation and improves machining accuracy. In particular, adjustments to process parameters resulted in lower taper angles and reduced surface roughness in the cutting zones of the CFR-PLA samples.

Assessment on the influence of FDM process parameters on the mechanical properties of PLA samples

Abstract The manufacturing of functional parts from the fused deposition modeling 3D printer is limited due to poor mechanical properties, low surface finish, and huge production time. During 3D printing of prototypes, the time consumption of printing and mechanical properties of the model is directly proportional. The fused deposition modeling process parameters significantly impact the quality of printed parts. The prime objective of this research is to optimize the process parameters of a 3D printing machine (wall thickness, infill percentage, infill pattern, and infill speed) using polylactic acid material to enhance the mechanical properties with less printing time of the 3D printing model. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the 3D printed samples are used to evaluate the mechanical properties of the various slicing process parameters as per the standards. From the results, it is evident that the mechanical properties of the 3D printed materials increased significantly. The magnitude of ultimate tensile strength is reported as 39.972 MPa with a printing time of 28 min. From close observation, it is evident that lower infill speeds with gyroid infill pattern produce the highest ultimate tensile strength of all combinations. Also, optimal results are derived at higher wall thickness and higher infill percentage. In addition to that, finite element analysis was carried out for different infill percentages of the specimen to validate the actual result.

Exploring the impact of epoxy coated 3D-Printed polymers on surface roughness and mechanical behavior: An experimental and numerical study

The present study used polymers such as PLA and ABS filaments for the 3D printing parts with varying layer thicknesses. The mechanical properties and surface finish of the as-printed and epoxy resin-coated samples were investigated. Noteworthy findings indicate that when the PLA material is printed at a layer thickness of 0.06 mm followed by no coating one can achieve superior tensile strength of approximately 39 MPa as compared to 20 MPa of ABS material. The ultimate tensile strength of the coated materials averaged approximately 15 MPa for both PLA and ABS. The surface roughness of PLA material printed with a 0.06 mm layer thickness showed a 95.13 % reduction after coating. Despite ABS samples being harder than PLA material, the layer thickness emerged as the most influential factor in enhancing the hardness. The dominance of lower layer thickness over other conditions is particularly evident in the modulus of elasticity. In addition to the experimental investigation, a non-linear structural analysis of the uniaxial tensile behaviour of the coated and uncoated 3D prints was also carried out. The fracture modes and deformation behaviours in numerical modelling and experimental results across various parametric conditions were found to be in good agreement. Specifically, the numerical results at lower loading conditions for a layer thickness of 0.06 mm PLA and ABS samples, in the uncoated conditions, mirrored the experimental outcomes.

Development and Characterızatıon of Polylactıc Acıd (Pla)

Today, the usage areas of polymer materials are quite wide. It is not possible to recycle petroleum-based polymers. Synthetic polymers have wide usage areas; This makes synthetic polymers the most important cause of environmental pollution. In particular, disposable products are produced from synthetic polymer materials and then recycled in nature for many years; It has pushed us to seek a solution to this problem. At the same time, decreasing oil resources pose a raw material threat for the production of oil-based products. Therefore, it is aimed to minimize the use of synthetic polymers used in many industries such as automotive, household appliances, food and pharmaceutical packaging, and to contribute to the increase of biopolymer studies. In this study, the production and mechanical characterization of Polylactic Acid, a natural polymer, was performed. PLA, which is a biodegradable polymer as well as a natural polymer, is thought to be an alternative to synthetic polymers in many sectors. Pure natural PLA samples were molded with an injection device and mechanical characterization was performed. The results of tensile and 3-point bending tests were interpreted. As a result of the mechanical tests of PLA, a biocomposite was produced using chestnut shells to improve the mechanical properties and the mechanical properties of this biocomposite were examined. It was concluded that 25% chestnut shell reinforcement improved the mechanical properties of PLA.

TP53 and EGFR amplification are negative predictors of overall survival in patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastases

BackgroundThe discovery of driver genes such as EGFR, KRAS, and ALK, has dramatically shifted treatment patterns in patients harboring these oncogenes. However, dissemination into the central nervous system (CNS) is a severe complication. In addition, the particular anatomical structure of the CNS has made it difficult to obtain tissue specimens from brain metastases (BM) to generate a gene map, as such, potential predictive markers for survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and BM (NSCLC-BM) remain unclear. MethodsData from 28 patients diagnosed with NSCLC-BM between June 2019 and May 2021 at Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital (Guangzhou, China), were reviewed. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of a 168 cancer-related gene panel was available for surgically resected brain tissues from all patients. In addition, molecular characteristics and overall survival (OS) were analyzed to determine potential predictive markers. ResultsAmong patients with NSCLC-BM, NGS revealed that TP53 was the most frequent mutation (61 %), with a detection rate of 39 %, closely by EGFR amplification. Additionally, CDKN2A, MYC, LRP1B, and RNF43 were frequently observed (18 %). The median OS was significantly shorter in the TP53 mutation group than in the wildtype group (14 versus undefined months, p = 0.014). Similar results were also found in the genetic alteration of EGFR amplification, suggesting that EGFR amplification was associated with worse OS (14 vs. 24 months, p = 0.039). Interestingly, NGS revealed that gene alternations such as TP53, EGFR amplification, and CDKN2A, tended to coexist and such a co-alteration panel indicated worse clinical outcomes (median OS, 5 months). In addition, the detection rate of negative survival genes, including TP53 or EGFR amplification, was much higher in tumor tissues than in plasma samples, indicating the limited predictive value of matched PLA samples. ConclusionsGene signatures, such as TP53 or EGFR amplification, were associated with worse survival in patients diagnosed with NSCLC-BM. These valuable findings may shed light on new strategies for the prognostic assessment of specific patient groups.

Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System-Based Predictive Modeling of Mechanical Properties in Additive Manufacturing

Predicting the mechanical properties of Additive Manufacturing (AM) parts is a complex task due to the intricate nature of the manufacturing processes. This study presents a novel application of the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) to predict the mechanical properties of PLA specimens produced using Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). The ANFIS model integrates the strengths of neural networks and fuzzy logic to establish a mapping between the inputs and the output mechanical properties, specifically maximum stress, strain, and Young’s modulus. Experimental data were collected from three-point bending tests conducted on FFF samples fabricated from PLA material with different manufacturing parameters, such as infill pattern, infill, layer thickness, printing speed, extruder and bed temperature, printing orientation (along each axis and twist angle), and raster angle. These data were used to train, check, and validate the ANFIS model. The results reveal that the proposed predictive model can effectively predict the mechanical properties of FFF-printed PLA samples, demonstrating its potential for broader applications across various AM technologies and materials, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the AM fabrication process.

Frequency-Dependent Fatigue Properties of Additively Manufactured PLA.

Vibration-fatigue failure occurs when a structure is dynamically excited within its natural frequency range. Unlike metals, which have constant fatigue parameters, polymers can exhibit frequency-dependent fatigue parameters, significantly affecting the vibration resilience of 3D-printed polymer structures. This manuscript presents a study utilizing a novel vibration-fatigue testing methodology to characterize the frequency dependence of polymer material fatigue parameters under constant temperature conditions. In this investigation, 3D-printed PLA samples with frequency-tunable geometry were experimentally tested on an electro-dynamical shaker with a random vibration profile. Using the validated numerical models, the estimation of vibration-fatigue life was obtained and compared to the experimental results. Performing the numerical minimization of estimated and actual fatigue lives, the frequency-dependent fatigue parameters were assessed. In particular, the results indicate that the tested samples exhibit varying fatigue parameters within the loading frequency range of 250-750 Hz. Specifically, as the loading frequency increases, the fatigue exponent increases and fatigue strength decreases. These findings confirm the frequency dependence of fatigue parameters for 3D-printed polymer structures, underscoring the necessity of experimental characterization to reliably estimate the vibration-fatigue life of 3D-printed polymer structures. The utilization of the introduced approach therefore enhances the vibration resilience of the 3D-printed polymer mechanical component.

A comprehensive guide to milling techniques for smoothing the surfaces of 3D-printed thermoplastic parts

PurposeThis study aims to thoroughly examine the milling process applied to fused filament fabrication (FFF) parts. The primary objective is to identify the key variables in creating smooth surfaces on FFF specimens and establish trends about specific parameters.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, PLA and ABS samples fabricated by FFF are subjected to side milling in several experiments. Achievable surface quality is studied in relation to material properties, milling parameters, tooling and macrostructure. The surface finish is quantified using profile measurements of the processed surfaces. The study classifies the created chips into categories that can be used as criteria for the anticipated quality. Spectral analysis is used to examine the various surface formation modes. Thermal monitoring is used to track chip formation and surface temperature changes during the milling process.FindingsThis study reveals that effective heat dissipation through proper chip formation is vital for maintaining high surface quality. Recommended methodology demands using a tool with a substantial flute volume, using high positive rake and clearance angles and optimizing the feed-per-tooth and cutting speed. Disregarding these guidelines may cause the surface temperature to surpass the material’s glass transition, resulting in inferior quality characterized by viscous folding. For FFF thermoplastics, optimal milling can bring the average surface roughness down to the micron level.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the field by providing valuable guidance for achieving superior results in milling FFF parts. This study includes a concise summary of the theoretically relevant insights, presents verification of the key factors by qualitative analysis and offers optimal milling parameters for 3D-printed thermoplastics based on systematic experiments.

The effect of the interlayer time and deposition speed on the tensile properties of material extrusion components

This study investigates the influence of the substrate temperature in material extrusion (MEX) on tensile behavior of PLA samples. A full factorial experimental plan was conducted by varying the deposition speed and the interlayer time. Infrared thermography was conducted to determine the influence of the deposition conditions on the temperature of the substrate just before the deposition of the next layer. Tensile tests were conducted along the “upright direction” to determine the influence of the thermal history on the interlayer adhesion. The results indicate the strong influence of the interlayer time on the thermal history and the mechanical behavior. The temperature of the substrate before subsequent overlying deposition was mainly influenced by the interlayer time, while it was less affected by the deposition speed. The Young modulus of the samples was poorly affected by the adopted process conditions; on the other hand, the maximum strength and the elongation at rupture were strongly affected by the interlayer time. The identified variances in mechanical behavior underscore the pivotal significance of sample dimensions in dictating the ultimate mechanical characteristics of vertically oriented samples. These outcomes illuminate the intricate interaction between deposition speed and interlayer duration, highlighting their substantial influence on mechanical performance.

Highly flame retardancy, barrier, mechanical and persistent antibacterial polylactic acid film with high-parallel interconnected thousand layered cake architecture

In this work, a bio-based material (CGP) is obtained by combing chitosan, gelatin and polyvinyl alcohol through a simple solution mixing to simultaneously address polylactic acid film (PLA)' flammability and poor barrier, toughness and antibacterial properties by soaking. The results of open fire testing show that modified PLA films can effectively prolong the combustion time, improve the thermal stability and reduce the release of heat in the cone calorimeter test. For the PLA sample after soaking for 5 times (PLA-5) in particular, it can reduce the peak heat release rate (pHRR) and total heat release (THR) values to 85.8 kW/m2 and 1.3 MJ/m2 from the values of 129.5 kW/m2 and 1.8 MJ/m2 for PLA, respectively. Structural analysis suggests that CGP primarily operates in the condensed phase by forming physical barriers. Meanwhile, the modified PLA films can exhibit superior barrier effects, which indicate the oxygen transmission rate value of PLA-5 decreases to 0.9 cm3/(m2·day) from the 392.5 cm3/(m2·day) of raw PLA film. Moreover, the PLA-5 also have excellent toughness (the value increased to 200.5 % from 31.0 %) and persistent antibacterial effects (it still has 100 % sterilization after 500 days).

Effects of bio-inspired infill design on the mechanical properties of ultrasonic vibration assisted 3D printed samples

This paper study the tensile strength and microstructure of the 3D bio-inspired printed samples by comparing the ultrasonic vibration assisted test samples with standard ABS and PLA samples with three different bio-inspired infill designs namely elephant trunk, bamboo and leaf. The test samples were printed with optimal printing process parameters and 0 kHz and 20 kHz frequency of ultrasonic vibration. SolidWorks software was used to design the bio-inspired infill designs and create the 3D-printed test samples. Tests to evaluate mechanical properties and microstructure were carried out after printing the test samples. The investigation primarily focuses on the impact of ultrasonic vibration assisted 3D bio-inspired printed samples of ABS and PLA materials. This research explores using ultrasonic vibration assistance to enhance the tensile strength of 3D-printed infills. The elephant trunk inspired infill design with ABS at 20 kHz achieved the best results, suggesting that ultrasonic vibration strengthens intermolecular bonding. The bamboo inspired infill performed poorly due to its design, while PLA deformed due to lower heat resistance. Overall, ultrasonic frequency improved layer bonding, especially for the elephant trunk infill, indicating potential for further optimization. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of bio-inspired infill solutions, mainly the ABS elephant trunks with ultrasonic 20 kHz of vibration.

Effect of shells number and machining on selected properties of 3D-printed PLA samples

Effect of shells number (1–5) on tensile properties of PLA samples printed using the FDM/FFF technique was investigated. The crack surface was also analyzed. The best properties were obtained for 4-shell sample. However, due to the large coefficient of variation (>> 10%) in the case of elongation, 3-shell sample was selected for testing the machining impact. Such a large coefficient of variation can be explained by the presence of voids between the layers. The greater the number of layers, the greater the structure defects. Machining increases surface smoothness while reducing tensile strength and practically unchanged elongation at break.

Effect of Plasticization/Annealing on Thermal, Dynamic Mechanical, and Rheological Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid).

This study investigates the use of low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a plasticizer for poly(lactic acid) (PLA). PLA/PEG blend films were prepared using the solvent casting method with varying mixing ratios. The films were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and dynamic rheological analysis. The results indicate that the addition of PEG as a plasticizer affects the thermal and mechanical properties of the PLA/PEG blend films. The study found that the glass transition and cold crystallization temperatures decreased with increasing PEG content up to 20 wt%, while the crystallinity and crystallization rate increased. The blends with up to 20 wt% PEG were miscible, but phase separation occurred when the plasticizer content was increased to 30 wt%. Subsequently, amorphous samples of neat PLA and PLA plasticized with 10 wt% of PEG underwent annealing at various temperatures (Ta = 80-120 °C) for durations ta of 1 and 24 h. The samples were then analyzed using DSC and DMA. The addition of PEG to PLA altered the content of α' and α crystalline forms compared to neat PLA at a given (Ta; ta) and favored the formation of a mixture of α' and α crystals. The crystallinity achieved upon annealing increased with increasing Ta or ta and with the incorporation of PEG.

Biodegradation behavior of poly (lactic acid) samples obtained by three‐dimensional printing: Influence of temperature and pigment presence

AbstractIn this study, the biodegradation behavior in the soil of natural and pigmented poly (lactic acid) (PLA) plates obtained by three‐dimensional (3D) printing or by compression molding was evaluated by the respirometry method at three different temperatures: 21, 28, and 35°C. PLA samples before and after aerobic biodegradation tests were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and size exclusion chromatography analysis. The increase in test temperature enhanced the biodegradation process. At a test temperature of 35°C, the maximum biodegradation rates of natural PLA and pigmented PLA were 65% and 68% higher, respectively, compared to the maximum biodegradation rate observed at 21°C. DSC and TG analysis indicate that pigmented PLA samples were more susceptible to degradation by hydrolysis. However, the rate of biodegradation efficiency was lower in pigmented PLA samples, with a decrease of 16%, 24%, and 14% at 21, 28, and 35°C, respectively, compared to natural PLA. This behavior indicated that pigment hindered the hydrolysis by‐products absorption by microorganisms. Additionally, the presence of micro voids in PLA samples obtained through 3D printing accelerated the rate of biodegradation efficiency by 32% at 28°C compared to pressed samples.Highlights Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) plate biodegradation in soil was analyzed using respirometry method. Temperature, pigment presence, and sample preparation method were considered. Higher temperatures enhanced both natural and pigmented PLA biodegradation. Pigments appeared to act as antimicrobial agents, slowing down the process. Water presence in the micro voids accelerated hydrolysis and biodegradation.

Isobornyl and Isocamphyl Photostabilizers in Poly(lactic acid)-Based Electrospun Fibers.

In this work, electrospun polylactide fibers with new photostabilizing additives, 4-methyl-2,6-diisobornylphenol (DIBP) and N-isocamphylaniline (NICA), have been tested under the influence of UV-C radiation (254 nm). The changes in the polymers' chemical structure under UV-C radiation were revealed through the increase in absorption in the 3600-3100 cm-1 region in regard to the FTIR spectra. In the samples that were irradiated for 1 h, the stabilizing effect of the photoprotectors became most noticeable as the difference in the content of the hydroxyl groups in stabilized and the pure PLA reached a maximum. The TG-DSC method revealed that the most sensitive indicator of the irradiation effect was the glass transition temperature (Tg), which persisted after 2 h of irradiation when using photostabilizers and their combinations. The PLA/DIBP(1) and PLA/NICA(1) samples showed the best results in protecting PLA from UV-C radiation based on the Tg values; although, the mixture of DIBP and NICA was not as effective. The chemical structure of the photostabilized PLA samples was studied using NMR, GPC, and Py-GC/MS analysis. The electrospun polylactide fibers were mechanically tested and the effects of the electrospun samples on cell viability were studied.

Influence of Aging on the Flexural Strength of PLA and PLA-X 3D-Printed Materials.

The three-point bending test is a valuable method for evaluating the mechanical properties of 3D-printed biomaterials, which can be used in various applications. The use of 3D printing in specimen preparation enables precise control over material composition and microstructure, facilitating the investigation of different printing parameters and advanced materials. The traditional approach to analyzing the mechanical properties of a material using a three-point bending test has the disadvantage that it provides only global information about the material's behavior. This means that it does not provide detailed insight into the local strain distribution within the material. However, the 2D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) method offers additional insight, especially in terms of strain localization. DIC is an optical technique that measures full-field displacements and strains on the surface of a sample. PLA and enhanced PLA-X material were utilized to create three-point bending samples. The aim of this paper was to analyze and compare the influence of aging on the mechanical properties of PLA and enhanced PLA-X materials using three-point bending coupled with the DIC method. The results showed statistically significant differences between the PLA and PLA-X, for both the new and aged materials. The aged PLA samples had the highest average value of maximal force around 68 N, which was an increase of 8.8% compared to the new PLA samples. On the other hand, the aged PLA-X material had an increase of 7.7% in the average maximal force compared to the new PLA-X samples. When comparing the two materials, the PLA samples had higher maximal force values, 6.2% for the new samples, and 7.3% for the aged samples. The DIC results showed that both the new PLA and PLA-X samples endured higher strain values at Points 1 and 2 than the aged ones, except for the aged PLA-X sample at Point 2, where the new sample had higher strain values. However, for the first 5 min of the experiment, both materials exhibited identical behavior, after which point significant differences started to occur for both materials, as well as at Points 1 and 2. A more profound comprehension of the biomechanical characteristics of both PLA and PLA-X material is essential to enhance the knowledge for potential biomedical applications. The DIC method was found to be a powerful tool for analyzing the deformation and failure behavior of samples and for complementing the traditional approach to material testing.

Additive manufacturing of 3D networks based on poly(lactic acid) and amine functionalized graphene oxide as a platform for scaffolds

AbstractIn the present study, 3D networks were printed using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique. The purpose was investigate the printability of graphene oxide (GO)‐based composites for potential bone tissue engineering applications. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) filaments containing GO and amine functionalized GO (N‐GO) were produced by melt extrusion and employed to print 3D networks. The cytotoxicity, morphological, rheological, and thermal behavior of the samples were compared. The morphological, rheological, and wettability analyses indicated an improvement in dispersion of GO throughout the matrix of PLA when GO was amine functionalized. The viscoelastic and flow properties, as determined by rheology, indicated that printed PLA samples containing freeze‐dried GO had lower viscosity than other composites, with a viscosity of 59.4 (Pa s), a decrease of nine times when compared with pure PLA, while the PLA containing N‐GO presented an improved viscoelastic interaction. PLA contact angle (108°) decreased by 87° and 84° for N‐GO and GO, respectively. The thermal analyses depicted that the incorporation of freeze‐dried GO and N‐GO had no effect on the crystallinity or thermal transitions of PLA matrix, maintaining its thermal stability. Finally, the cytotoxicity analysis indicated that the composites were not toxic throughout the cell culture assay and were found to promote cell viability, especially for the PLA/N‐GO network. Thus, these results revealed a vast horizon toward the use of GO/biodegradable polymers as platforms to print 3D networks to be applied as scaffolds.

Effects of primary leachates of conventional and alternative plastics in Cyprinodon variegatus fish larvae: Endocrine disruption and toxicological responses

The inclusion of hazardous substances in the formulation of plastics raises significant concerns, particularly, if those substances are released as primary leachates during plastic degradation and/or fragmentation. In this sense, the production of degradable plastics holding deleterious additives can increase the release of harmful substances into the environment. Additionally, the effects of primary leachates of “eco-friendly” materials remain unexplored. To address this, we performed exposures to primary leachates of alternative polymers, and commercial bags to verify possible responses associated with endocrine disruption and/or activation of the detoxification pathway in larvae of the marine fish model Cyprinodon variegatus.The chemical characterization evidenced a great number of additives in the formulation of the materials analyzed in this study. Those include, except for the PLA sample, relevant levels of the hazardous phthalates DEHP and DiBP.Regarding the effects on marine fish larvae, exposure to leachates from alternative polymers (10 g/L) PHB and PHBV produced remarkable mortality (100%). While the exposure to bag leachates of all tested materials (1 and 10 g/L) produced alterations in biomarkers for steroidogenic and detoxification pathways. To a lesser extent (10 g/L), three materials produced significant alterations in estrogenic biomarkers (Home-compostable bag 1, LDPE and Recycled PE bags). Although the alterations in gene expression were not directly correlated to the amount of DEHP or DiBP, we can conclude that primary leachates of “eco-friendly” bags are harmful to marine vertebrates.

THE APPLICATION OF THE TAGUCHI METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING THE COMPRESSION STRENGTH OF PLA SAMPLES PRODUCED USING FDM

In this study, the Taguchi method was applied to optimize the compressive strength of PLA samples produced using Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM). The study used Taguchi L9 experimental design to optimize three different process parameters (wall thickness, filling pattern, and printing speed). S/N ratios and ANOVA methods were used to analyze the experiments. The results of the experiments using the Taguchi technique were analyzed according to S/N ratios and the parameter levels with the best results were determined. The best levels for wall thickness, filling pattern, and print speed parameters were determined and the effects of these parameters were analyzed. It was concluded that wall thickness was the most effective parameter and filling pattern and print speed were less effective. ANOVA analysis confirmed the influence of the parameters on the compressive strength. It was observed that wall thickness contributed the most (70.20%) and filling pattern contributed the second most (29.11%).