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

Abstract

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.

Keywords

• 3D print
• accuracy
• additive manufacturing
• experiment planning
• process parameter
• quality