On the Geometric Accuracy of RepRap Open-Source Three-Dimensional Printer

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Lanzotti ◽  
Domenico Maria Del Giudice ◽  
Antonio Lepore ◽  
Gabriele Staiano ◽  
Massimo Martorelli

In the field of additive manufacturing (AM) processes, there is a significant lack of scientific data on the performance of open-source 3D printers in relation to process parameter values. The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of the main process parameters on the accuracy of a set of typical geometric features, as obtained with an open-source 3D printer, the RepRap Prusa-Mendel I2. For this purpose, a benchmarking part was set up, composed of elementary shapes, representing a series of different geometric features. By means of a DoE approach, it was possible to assess the effects of two process parameters—layer thickness (Lt) and flow rate (Fr)—on five geometric features: cube, sphere, cylinder, cone, and angled surface. A high resolution Laser Scanner was used to evaluate the variation between the acquired geometric feature and the corresponding 3D computer-aided design (CAD) nominal model. On the basis of experimental results, it was possible to analyze and discuss the main effects of the above-mentioned process parameters on each geometric feature. These results can help RepRap users in the correct selection of process parameters with the aim of improving the quality of prototypes.

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 604-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Lanzotti ◽  
Marzio Grasso ◽  
Gabriele Staiano ◽  
Massimo Martorelli

Purpose – This study aims to quantify the ultimate tensile strength and the nominal strain at break (ɛf) of printed parts made from polylactic acid (PLA) with a Replicating Rapid prototyper (Rep-Rap) 3D printer, by varying three important process parameters: layer thickness, infill orientation and the number of shell perimeters. Little information is currently available about mechanical properties of parts printed using open-source, low-cost 3D printers. Design/methodology/approach – A computer-aided design model of a tensile test specimen was created, conforming to the ASTM:D638. Experiments were designed, based on a central composite design. A set of 60 specimens, obtained from combinations of selected parameters, was printed on a Rep-Rap Prusa I3 in PLA. Testing was performed using a JJ Instruments – T5002-type tensile testing machine and the load was measured using a load cell of 1,100 N. Findings – This study investigated the main impact of each process parameter on mechanical properties and the effects of interactions. The use of a response surface methodology allowed the proposition of an empirical model which connects process parameters and mechanical properties. Even though results showed a high variability, additional ideas on how to understand the impact of process parameters are suggested in this paper. Originality/value – On the basis of experimental results, it is possible to obtain practical suggestions to set common process parameters in relation to mechanical properties. Experiments discussed in the present paper provide a variety of data and insight regarding the relationship among the main process parameters and the stiffness and strength of fused deposition modeling-printed parts made from PLA. In particular, this paper underlines the shortage in existing literature concerning the impact of process parameters on the elastic modulus and the strain to failure for the PLA. The experimental data produced show a good degree of compliance with analytical formulations and other data found in literature.


Author(s):  
Antonio Lanzotti ◽  
Massimo Martorelli ◽  
Gabriele Staiano

With a view to enabling additive manufacturing (AM) processes, today, open-source, low-cost 3D printers are systems with great potential. However there is a significant lack of scientific data on the performance of open-source 3D systems and on the selection of adequate process parameters that can help to improve the quality of the parts. The purpose of this paper is to assess the effects of the main process parameters on the dimensional accuracy of a specific open-source 3D printer, the RepRap Prusa-Mendel I2. This study consisted of a benchmarking part, involving elementary shapes representing a series of different features. By means of a full factorial DoE (Design of Experiments), with three factors (layer thickness, deposition speed, and flow rate), three levels, and three replications, 81 parts were obtained. Subsequently, a laser scanner (D700 Laser Scanner—3Shape, Denmark) was used as high resolution reverse engineering system in order to evaluate the variation between real parts and nominal geometry. The impact of the main process parameters was evaluated and optimal combinations were analyzed. On the basis of the results obtained in the experiments, practical suggestions for the settings of common process parameters were formulated. Test results serve to improve the quality of AM parts through the most appropriate selection of the main process parameters.


Author(s):  
M. Barletta ◽  
V. Tagliaferri ◽  
F. Trovalusci ◽  
F. Veniali ◽  
A. Gisario

In this paper, the mechanisms of material removal during the fluidized bed machining (FBM) of polymeric substrates are analyzed. Cylindrical components composed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were exposed to the impact of abrasives while rotating at high speed within a fluidization column. The interaction between the Al2O3 abrasive media and the PVC surfaces was studied to identify the effect of the main process parameters, such as the machining time, the abrasive mesh size, and the rotational speed. The change in the surface morphology as a function of the process parameters was evaluated using field emission gun—scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) and contact gauge profilometry. An improvement in the finishing of the processed surfaces was achieved, and the related mechanisms were identified. The roles of the impact speed and the contact conditions between the abrading particles and the substrate were also investigated.


Electronics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 538
Author(s):  
Farhad Larki ◽  
Md Shabiul Islam ◽  
Arash Dehzangi ◽  
Mohammad Tariqul Islam ◽  
Hin Yong Wong

In this paper, we investigate the effect of lateral gate design on performance of a p-type double lateral gate junctionless transistors (DGJLTs) with an air gate gap. The impact of lateral gate length, which modifies the real channel length of the device and gate gap variation down to 50 nm which have been found to be the most influential factors in the performance of the device have been comprehensively investigated. The characteristics are demonstrated and compared with a nominal DGJLTs through three-dimensional technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulation. At constant channel geometry (thickness and width), when the lateral gate length decreases, the results show constant flatband drain current characteristics while the OFF state current (IOFF) increases significantly. On the other hand, by decreasing the air gap the subthreshold current considerably decreases while the flatband current is constant. Moreover, at a certain gate gap, the gates lose control over the channel and the device simply works as a resistor. Electric field component, carriers’ density, band edge energies, and recombination rate of the carriers inside the channel in depletion and accumulation regimes are analysed to interpret the variation of output characteristics.


Designs ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios Goulas ◽  
Shiyu Zhang ◽  
Darren A. Cadman ◽  
Jan Järveläinen ◽  
Ville Mylläri ◽  
...  

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is a well-known and greatly accessible additive manufacturing technology, that has found great use in the prototyping and manufacture of radiofrequency componentry, by using a range of composite thermoplastic materials that possess superior properties, when compared to standard materials for 3D printing. However, due to their nature and synthesis, they are often a great challenge to print successfully which in turn affects their microwave properties. Hence, determining the optimum printing strategy and settings is important to advance this area. The manufacturing study presented in this paper shows the impact of the main process parameters: printing speed, hatch spacing, layer height and material infill, during 3D printing on the relative permittivity (εr), and loss tangent (tanδ) of the resultant additively manufactured test samples. A combination of process parameters arising from this study, allowed successful 3D printing of test samples, that marked a relative permittivity of 9.06 ± 0.09 and dielectric loss of 0.032 ± 0.003.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1020-1031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Fernandez-Vicente ◽  
Ana Escario Chust ◽  
Andres Conejero

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe a novel design workflow for the digital fabrication of custom-made orthoses (CMIO). It is intended to provide an easier process for clinical practitioners and orthotic technicians alike. It further functions to reduce the dependency of the operators’ abilities and skills. Design/methodology/approach The technical assessment covers low-cost three-dimensional (3D) scanning, free computer-aided design (CAD) software, and desktop 3D printing and acetone vapour finishing. To analyse its viability, a cost comparison was carried out between the proposed workflow and the traditional CMIO manufacture method. Findings The results show that the proposed workflow is a technically feasible and cost-effective solution to improve upon the traditional process of design and manufacture of custom-made static trapeziometacarpal (TMC) orthoses. Further studies are needed for ensuring a clinically feasible approach and for estimating the efficacy of the method for the recovery process in patients. Social implications The feasibility of the process increases the impact of the study, as the great accessibility to this type of 3D printers makes the digital fabrication method easier to be adopted by operators. Originality/value Although some research has been conducted on digital fabrication of CMIO, few studies have investigated the use of desktop 3D printing in any systematic way. This study provides a first step in the exploration of a new design workflow using low-cost digital fabrication tools combined with non-manual finishing.


2013 ◽  
Vol 392 ◽  
pp. 693-696
Author(s):  
Wen Tao Xu ◽  
Yang Guo ◽  
Yan Kang Du

The impact of pulse quenching effect on the sensitive area is evaluated by using three-dimensional technology computer-aided design (TCAD) numerical simulation. Simulation results present that the pulse quenching effect could effectively reduce the sensitive area of PMOS transistors. By adopting the off-state gate isolation technique, the sensitive area is further reduced.


2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Jeswani ◽  
J. A. Roux

Pultrusion, sometimes referred to as continuous resin transfer molding process, is a continuous, cost-effective method for manufacturing composite materials with constant cross sections (such as rod stock, beams, channels, and tubing). The objective of this study is to improve the fiber reinforcement wetout and thus the quality of the pultruded part in the injection pultrusion process. The complete wetout of the dry reinforcement by the liquid resin depends on various design and process parameters. The process parameters modeled in this study are fiber pull speed, fiber volume fraction, and viscosity of the resin. In the present work, a three-dimensional finite volume technique is employed to simulate the liquid resin flow through the fiber reinforcement in the injection pultrusion process. The numerical model simulates the flow of polyester resin through the glass rovings and predicts the impact of the process parameters on wetout, resin pressure field, and resin velocity field. The location of the liquid resin flow front has been predicted for an injection slot as well as for five discrete injection ports.


2011 ◽  
Vol 295-297 ◽  
pp. 1625-1630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Van Luu Dao ◽  
Sheng Dun Zhao ◽  
Wen Jie Lin ◽  
Xiao Mei Yuan

Thixoforming of steel is a potential forming technology, which can realize near-net-shape forming process with good quality in one forming step. In this paper, thixoforming process was used to replace the conventional hot forging process to form the auto claw-pole. The finite element code Forge2008Ó was used to simulate the auto claw-pole thixoforming process. The impact of three main process parameters such as initial billet temperature, punch speed and die temperature on the forming process were investigated. The reasonable process parameters for the auto claw-pole thixoforming were obtained: initial billet temperature 1430~1440°C, punch speed 100~200mm/s and die temperature 300~400°C.


2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongzhi Lan ◽  
Adam Updegrove ◽  
Nathan M. Wilson ◽  
Gabriel D. Maher ◽  
Shawn C. Shadden ◽  
...  

Patient-specific simulation plays an important role in cardiovascular disease research, diagnosis, surgical planning and medical device design, as well as education in cardiovascular biomechanics. simvascular is an open-source software package encompassing an entire cardiovascular modeling and simulation pipeline from image segmentation, three-dimensional (3D) solid modeling, and mesh generation, to patient-specific simulation and analysis. SimVascular is widely used for cardiovascular basic science and clinical research as well as education, following increased adoption by users and development of a GATEWAY web portal to facilitate educational access. Initial efforts of the project focused on replacing commercial packages with open-source alternatives and adding increased functionality for multiscale modeling, fluid–structure interaction (FSI), and solid modeling operations. In this paper, we introduce a major SimVascular (SV) release that includes a new graphical user interface (GUI) designed to improve user experience. Additional improvements include enhanced data/project management, interactive tools to facilitate user interaction, new boundary condition (BC) functionality, plug-in mechanism to increase modularity, a new 3D segmentation tool, and new computer-aided design (CAD)-based solid modeling capabilities. Here, we focus on major changes to the software platform and outline features added in this new release. We also briefly describe our recent experiences using SimVascular in the classroom for bioengineering education.


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