A comparative analysis of printing parameter effects of tensile and flexural specimens produced with two different printers by the TAGUCHI method

Abstract

Fused deposition modeling (FDM), a prominent AM technique, involves the layer-by-layer deposition of material to construct objects. Various design and production process parameters influence the mechanical properties of FDM-printed components. This study aims to analyze and compare the impacts of printing parameters, specifically nozzle diameter, layer height, and printing speed, on the tensile and flexural properties of 3D-printed parts utilizing two distinct 3D printers. Polylactic acid (PLA) filament material was employed, and the printing parameters were determined based on prior research findings on mechanical properties. The temperature distribution of the printers was analyzed using a thermal camera during the production process. The Taguchi method was applied to ascertain the optimal parameter levels, and subsequently, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was executed to evaluate the significance of each parameter. Tensile and flexural tests were conducted on the printed samples, followed by an in-depth analysis of the results. The printer's structure has little effect on temperature distribution, but its impact on sample strength is uncertain. The results revealed that the printing parameters influenced the mechanical properties of the printed parts in different ways in the two unique printers. Printing speed was the most influential parameter for the Ender 3 V2, while layer height had the highest impact on the Ultimaker 2 + . The nozzle diameter also played a significant role in both printers. Visual analysis of the printed samples showed the printing parameters' effects on the printed lines' bonding and quality. This study provides insights into the effects of nozzle diameter, layer height, and printing speed on the tensile and flexural properties of the printed samples. The results contribute to understanding how different printers may require specific parameter settings to achieve optimal performance. Further research is recommended to explore additional parameters and materials, considering particular applications and their requirements.