Content area
Full Text
ABSTRACT
The development of 3D-prmting technology enables manufacturing of functional and ready-to-use parts in a rapid and efficient way. Characterization of parameter settings on different types of 3D printers is necessary to maintain product quality. There are many process parameters that could affect 3D printing process. However, the effects these parameters give to the printed products of currently available 3D printers are often not well-studied. Here, the optimal process parameters on a Wanhao Duplicator 5S fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printer were investigated. Taguchi method was used to find factors that significantly affect the quality of printed products. Four process parameters - layer height, printing temperature, flow rate, and perimeter speed - were optimized with considerations of dimensional accuracy and surface roughness. Using this method, the optimal process parameters to obtain each the highest dimensional accuracy and the lowest surface roughness were determined. Taguchi Gray Relational Analysis was also performed to find the optimal process parameters by including both responses.
Keywords: 3D printer, dimensional accuracy, surface roughness, fused deposition modelling (FDM), Taguchi method
(ProQuest: ... denotes formulae omitted.)
1.Introduction
Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has a huge potential in the manufacturing industry due to its ability to make diverse products, reduce processing time, and minimize cost in making components [1-3]. The technology is currently developing; many new materials can now be 3D-printed. Different materials that have been used for 3D printing include silicon nitride, zirconium titanite, stainless steel, thermoplastic composite, and steel polymer [4]. 3D printers are also becoming more affordable, hence rapidly increasing in demand compared to other manufacturing machines. Using 3D printers, customized designs can be manufactured in a single step, resulting in a faster production process. However, it is important to ensure that the increase of production speed with 3D printing technology does not compromise the quality of the products.
Many factors or response parameters can indicate the quality of a 3D-printer product, for example, the roughness of its surface. A high-quality 3D-printed product must have minimum level of surface roughness, as it affects the performance and product aesthetics [5]. Bad surface quality reflected by high surface roughness can cause many problems such as wear and cracks. Another important factor that affects the quality of the product is dimensional accuracy [6]. Products...