Characterization of Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) Parts Produced Using Different Polymer Grades and Comparison through Statistical Modelling

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a useful technology for production processes of many industries with high future potentials. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a widely used technique of AM. FDM machines are now extensively used for functional use parts manufacturing. It is needed that FDM parts have better strength, quality and surface finish. This work aims to describe the optimum process parameters that can be used to produce parts with better dimensional accuracy, strength and surface finish. Test parts were fabricated with different factor levels of layer thickness, fill density and fill speed. Taguchi design of experiment and desirability function analysis were used to inspect the optimum factor levels for parts manufacturing. The optimum factor levels for dimensional accuracy, surface roughness and flexural strength were different from each other. Optimum process factors levels for maximization of flexural strength and minimization of surface roughness and dimensional accuracy were determined and used to produce parts for validating the experimental results.