FDM 3D Printing: Effects of Typical Parameters on Functional Parts

IMTS

Share this Article

Ahmed Elkaseer, Stella Schneider, and Steffen G. Scholz delve further into the effects of parameters and settings on the quality of parts, releasing the details from their recent study in ‘Experiment-Based Process Modeling and Optimization for High-Quality and Resource-Efficient FFF 3D Printing.’

Reminding us that 3D printing was originally designed for rapid prototyping, centered around the work of engineers, the authors point out that users around the world are now also beginning to rely on such technology for ‘customized mass production of functional parts,’ due to a sufficient evolution of the processes; however, there is still much to be learned and improved. This is especially true as users continue to innovate within so many different applications, from automotive to aerospace to construction, and so much more.

A schematic of the fused filament fabrication (FFF, FDM, Material Extrusion) process.

This study focuses on FDM (FFF, Material Extrusion) 3D printing as the authors examine what is accurately depicted as ‘a large number of individually adjustable printing parameters,’ and why defects and problems so often occur. Noting that PLA is a popular material in 3D printing, enjoyed due to its more environmentally friendly nature and ease in use, the authors analyzed the following on a test structure:

  • Infill percentage
  • Layer thickness
  • Printing speed
  • Printing temperature
  • Surface inclination angle

CAD model of a test sample (10 mm × 46 mm × 46 mm).

Simplify3D was used as slicing software, with test samples 3D printed on the Zmorph 2.0 SX.

Zmorph 2.0 SX.

The authors reported that for this study, printing parameters remained the same for all experiments.

Printing parameters maintained constant during trials.

The controllable factors and their absolute and normalized level values.

Three samples were 3D printed, allowing the researchers to average the process responses, measure the importance of the process responses, evaluate accuracy, and calculate percentage errors.

“For the surface roughness, Ra, the stylus-type profilometer MarSurf GD 26 was used,” stated the authors. “A sample length of 4 mm was traversed by the stylus. For each run, the roughness at the concerning inclination angle was measured at three samples and the average was calculated.”

Stylus profilometer MarSurf GD 26.

(a) Energy measuring device Voltcraft Energy Check 3000 and (b) analytical balance Sartorius Extend ED224S.

Predicted effects of changes in process parameters on the error% for dimensional accuracy of 10 mm length in the X direction.

The effects of the parameters used were analyzed in relation to:

  • Surface roughness
  • Dimensional accuracy
  • Productivity
  • Energy consumption

Predicted effects of changes in process parameters on the error% for dimensional accuracy of 10 mm length in the Z direction.

Effects of interaction of parameters on measured percentage error for 10 mm length in Z direction.

“Considering all the parameters, dimensional accuracy is mainly influenced by layer thickness and printing speed, whereas the surface roughness depends on surface inclination angle and on layer thickness. Energy consumption and productivity are primarily affected by printing speed and layer thickness. Although interactions between printing parameters can be beneficial for the required outcome, they can also hamper the process,” concluded the researchers.

“Generally, it is apparent that layer thickness and printing speed dominate the other parameters in their importance and usually define the outcome of the printing process. However, on the other hand, there will be a trade-off between layer thickness and printing speed to ensure part quality and resource usage, which must be resolved in order to obtain high-quality and resource-efficient built parts.”

What do you think of this news? Let us know your thoughts! Join the discussion of this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com.

Effect of printing temperature and printing speed on the dimensional accuracy in the Z direction.

Effects of interaction of parameters on measured energy consumption.

[Source / Images: ‘Experiment-Based Process Modeling and Optimization for High-Quality and Resource-Efficient FFF 3D Printing’]

Share this Article


Recent News

Will There Be a Desktop Manufacturing Revolution outside of 3D Printing?

Know Your Würth: CEO AJ Strandquist on How Würth Additive Can Change 3D Printing



Categories

3D Design

3D Printed Art

3D Printed Food

3D Printed Guns


You May Also Like

Featured

Pressing Refresh: What CEO Brad Kreger and Velo3D Have Learned About Running a 3D Printing Company

To whatever extent a business is successful thanks to specialization, businesses will nonetheless always be holistic entities. A company isn’t a bunch of compartments that all happen to share the...

Würth Additive Launches Digital Inventory Services Platform Driven by 3D Printing

Last week, at the Additive Manufacturing Users’ Group (AMUG) Conference in Chicago (March 10-14), Würth Additive Group (WAG) launched its new inventory management platform, Digital Inventory Services (DIS). WAG is...

Featured

Hypersonic Heats Up: CEO Joe Laurienti on the Success of Ursa Major’s 3D Printed Engine

“It’s only been about 24 hours now, so I’m still digesting it,” Joe Laurienti said. But even via Zoom, it was easy to notice that the CEO was satisfied. The...

Featured

3D Printing’s Next Generation of Leadership: A Conversation with Additive Minds’ Dr. Gregory Hayes

It’s easy to forget sometimes that social media isn’t reality. So, at the end of 2023, when a burst of doom and gloom started to spread across the Western world’s...