Innovative Strategies for Technical-Economical Optimization of FDM Production
Dragoș Gabriel Zisopol, Maria Tănase, Alexandra Ileana Portoacă
Abstract
This article introduces a multi-objective optimization approach for determining the best 3D printing parameters (layer thickness and infill percentage) to efficiently produce PLA and ABS parts, extensively analyzing mechanical behavior under tests for different traits such as tensile strength, compression, flexural, impact, and hardness. The value analysis method is used to optimize settings that balance use value (Vi- represented by mechanical characteristics) and production cost (Cp). Findings reveal that the infill percentage significantly influences the Vi/Cp ratio for tensile, compression, and hardness tests, while flexural tests are influenced by layer thickness. Impact strength is influenced nearly equally by both factors, with material-specific variations. The desirability function proved useful for optimizing processes with multiple responses, identifying the optimal parameters for the FDM process: a layer thickness of 0.15 mm with 100% infill percentage for PLA, a layer thickness of 0.20 mm with 100% infill percentage for annealed PLA, and a layer thickness of 0.15 mm with 100% infill percentage for ABS. Overall, this study guides efficient 3D printing parameter selection through a technical-economic optimization based on value analysis.