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Computer Aided Definition of the Printing Conditions of Parts Made by FFF

Sidonie F. Costa 1, Fernando M. Duarte 2, and José A. Covas 2
1. CIICESI, Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Gestão, Politécnico do Porto, Felgueiras, Portugal
2. Institute for Polymers and Composites (IPC), Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

Abstract—The growing worldwide use of 3D printing techniques requires the support of scientific research to improve the process and the quality of 3D printed parts. In a previous work, the authors developed a computer code that predicts the temperature evolution and the adhesion at any location of a 3D part produced by Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). Here, a 3D printed scalpel handle is used as a case study to evaluate the usefulness of the simulation tool in the definition of the printing conditions. Considering a printer with a convection oven, the best built orientation is selected. The results demonstrate the complexity of the heat transfer mechanisms that develop during the deposition stage. For this particular case study, the importance of using a 3D printer fitted with a convection oven is demonstrated, as its positive effect on adhesion cannot be compensated by tuning other process parameters.

Index Terms—3D printing, fused filament fabrication, modelling, heat transfer, adhesion

Cite: Sidonie F. Costa, Fernando M. Duarte, and José A. Covas, "Computer Aided Definition of the Printing Conditions of Parts Made by FFF," International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Research, Vol. 10, No. 6, pp.301-307, June 2021. DOI: 10.18178/ijmerr.10.6.301-307

​Copyright © 2021 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided that the article is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.