Process parameter investigation for 3D printing of cellular structured parts
Prodromos Filippidis, George Papazetis, George-Christopher Vosniakos
Abstract
Cellular structured parts are designed by repeating a unit cell in 3 dimensional space. Dimensional accuracy of such parts that were 3D printed through Material Extrusion process is assessed in this paper. Focus is put on the influence of process parameters on cell accuracy. A pertinent Taguchi experiment was designed and the samples were 3D printed from PLA, photographed on a stereoscope and measured by image analysis software. Results were analyzed using Taguchi and ANOVA techniques. As far as accuracy on the printing plane is concerned, printing speed proved to be the most influential factor. As far as the height direction is concerned, layer thickness and the so-called ‘bridging’ play the most important role. Grey relational analysis was used to determine the optimal combination: priming/retraction speed (8 mm/s), layer thickness (0.4 mm), temperature (190 °C) and nozzle speed (40 mm/s). The major influential factors are: layer thickness followed by printing speed, temperature being of less importance and priming/retraction speed being of negligible importance.