Examining the Influential Parameters on Reducing both Energy and Time Requirements in Open-Source 3D Printers

Abstract

The need for Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) type 3D printers in additive manufacturing family is increasing day by day. In parallel to the accelerating developments in these devices, the technical difficulties and the cost of operation have started to decrease in time. There are numerous studies available in the way to enhance the mechanical properties of parts printed with these devices. However, the energy and the time management in the printing processes have also become a new focus of today's research for more eco-friendly operations. In this study, the amount of energy and the time consumed during the printing period are examined in detail. The experiments are planned in accordance with the Taguchi method for Design of Experiments. Signal-to-Noise Ratio and ANOVA analysis, which are widely accepted and powerful statistical tools in the field of experimental engineering, are used to interpret the results. It is observed that the parameters of platform temperature, the layer thickness, the printing speed and the nozzle temperature are the most influential process parameters on the required power and time respectively. The percentage contributions of these parameters to the process performance is also presented. Furthermore, the optimal combination of parameters with suitable levels were obtained in order to minimize both the power and the time requirement for printing processes. The statistical hypothesis are verified by the confirmatory experiments. As a result, the parameters that significantly reduce the amount of energy and processing time for the production of a part applicable to most printing processes are revealed.

Keywords

• 3d printing
• energy management
• FFF processes

Açık-Kaynaklı 3B Yazıcılarda Enerji ve Zaman Gereksinimini Azaltmada Etkili Parametrelerin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Katmanlı imalat ailesinde yaygın olarak tercih edilen cihazlar olan Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) tipi 3D yazıcılara olan ihtiyaç gün geçtikçe artmaktadır. Bu cihazların geliştirilmesi sayesinde kullanım alanlarının artmasına ek olarak, işlem kolaylığı ve maliyeti de azalmaktaya başlamıştır. Basılan parçaların mekanik dayanımını arttırmayı amaçlayan çok sayıda çalışma mevcuttur. Dolayısıyla, çevre dostu bir üretim süreci için yapılan çalışmalar da gittikçe daha nitelikli hale gelmektedir. Bu amaçla, dayanımı yüksek olduğu bilinen özellikte bir numune üzerinde, harcanan enerji ve üretim süresi üzerinde detaylı incelemeler yapılmıştır. Numune üretiminde ihtiyaç duyulan güç ve zaman tüketimi belirli bir deneysel sıraya göre ölçümlenmiştir. Deneyler, Taguchi tabanlı Deneysel Planlama yöntemi temel alınarak planlanmıştır. Deneysel sonuçların yorumlanmasında, mühendislikte yaygın olarak kullanılan, güçlü birer istatistiksel araç olan Sinyal-Gürültü Oranı ve ANOVA analizlerinden yararlanılmıştır. Analizler sayesinde büyükten-küçüğe sırayla, platform sıcaklığı, katman kalınlığı, baskı hızı ve nozzle sıcaklığı parametrelerinin, tüketilen güç ve harcanan zaman üzerinde etkili olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Parametrelerin yüzde oranda etkileri de belirlenmiş olup, en verimli üretim işlemini sağlayabilecek optimum parametrik kombinasyon da elde edilmiştir. Yapılan doğrulama deneyleri sayesinde istatistiksel hipotezlerin doğruluğu da kanıtlanmıştır. Sonuç olarak, her baskı işlemi için geçerli olabilecek, sıradan bir parçanın üretimi için gereken enerji miktarını ve işlem süresini aynı anda ve önemli ölçüde azaltacak parametreler açığa çıkarılmıştır.

Keywords

• 3B yazıcı
• enerji yönetimi
• FFF işlemleri

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