Abstract:
Additive Manufacturing is an automated manufacturing process based on layers for making three dimensional scaled physical parts directly from 3D CAD data. A type additive manufacturing named as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is widely used technology that provides functional prototypes in various thermoplastics. In FDM, filling patterns, a parameter of path planning focused on deposition quality & fabrication and build time. Filling patterns are of two types: External filling Patterns and Internal filling patterns or Infills. Multiple patterns such as rectilinear, rectangular, triangular and honeycomb, etc. are developed for both filling categories.
In this work, a heterogeneous infill strategy is used by choosing developed patterns in order to optimize strength to weight ratio, material usage and build time for parts. All possible patterns, as combination of infills for 3D printing, have been tested. The used material and required built time for printing is noted from the slicing software used during 3d printing process. The tensile testing is performed on the printed specimens to calculate the strength to weight ratio. The values of yield stress for strength to weight ratio are measured from tensile test. By comparing the obtained results, a printing strategy with optimized solution based on maximum strength to weight ratio, minimum material utilization and production time is recommended for FDM technology.
