Track: Graduate Student Paper Competition

Abstract

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing is the most widespread technology in additive manufacturing worldwide acknowledging its low cost, finished component applications, and the production process of other parts. The aim of this study is to perform a process for checking the reproducibility capabilities of a FDM-created part by means of state of the art, 3D scanning technology and dedicated software for analysis. One of the main challenges that FDM processes have found to become a trustful manufacturing process in the industry, is the high variability of the outcome, given the printing parameters choice due to the wide variety of material choices, and different suppliers. Additionally, there is the variability of the FDM manufacturing elements, that translates into a different interlayer bond quality, same of which could punish the capability of the printed element to sustain mechanical tests with accuracy. This procedure is a step further into reaching a proper method for FDM manufacturing that takes into account these challenges and help to turn FDM manufacturing into a mainstream, trustworthy manufacturing process for engineering prototyping.