Analysis of the Accuracy and the Surface Roughness of FDM/FFF Technology and Optimisation of Process Parameters

• Published in: Tehnički vjesnik Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 1166 - 1173
• Main Authors: Mendricky, Radomir, Fris, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article Paper
• Language: English
• Published: Slavonski Baod University of Osijek 01-08-2020; Josipa Jurja Strossmayer University of Osijek; Strojarski fakultet u Slavonskom Brodu; Fakultet elektrotehnike, računarstva i informacijskih tehnologija Osijek; Građevinski i arhitektonski fakultet Osijek; Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Slavonski Brod, Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Osijek, Faculty of Civil Engineering in Osijek
• Subjects: 3D print; 3D printing; Accuracy; additive manufacturing; Consumption; experiment planning; Fused deposition modeling; Optimization; process parameter; Process parameters; quality; Rapid prototyping; Surface properties; Surface roughness; Thermoplastic resins; Thermoplastics; Three dimensional printing
• ISSN: 1330-3651; 1848-6339
• DOI: 10.17559/TV-20190320142210

The work deals with the influence of process parameters on the quality and accuracy of parts produced by FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling)/FFF (Fused filament fabrication) technologies. The experiments were carried out on the 3D Ultimaker printer, PLA (Polylactid Acid) thermoplastics were used as the test materials. The practical part is divided into 3 experiments. First, the optimum temperature was set. In the next part, the parameters of retraction rate, retraction length and crossing speed were determined. In the last part, the impact of 13 parameters on the printing time, material consumption, surface quality and accuracy were determined. In this part of the experiment, the effect of the factors on the quality indicators was determined using the DoE Taguchi methodology. Subsequently, the influential parameters were determined by Paret's rule. The results showed how layer height and print speed are the most important factor for the print time. The parameters-percent filling, number of walls, and the height of the layer were marked as essential parameters affecting the material's consumption. The surface roughness and dimensional accuracy are most influenced by the height of the layer.