Optimization of 3D Printing parametersto improve Flexural Strength on

FDM material
Gurram Aravind1, Mr.B. Shirish2, Dr.A Purushotham 3
Abstract: The Fused Filament Fabrication technique is a fast flourishing additive
manufacturing technology in the field of engineering for different applications. For 3Dprinted
parts, the mechanical properties depend on numerous parameters based on the material.
Literature survey demonstrates that Layer height, Change in Orientation, Temperature and
Print Speed are parameters that impact the mechanical properties of 3D printed parts. In the
present investigation, Polyethylene terephthalate glycol material is used as thermoplastic
polyester provides more durability, formability and easily recycled material. In this paper, we
use the optimization technique by using the Taguchi method with L9approach. A total of nine
different samples are printed with ASTM D790 standards and tested for Flexural strength.
The accomplished results would explain how parameters influence the flexural strength and
optimized values for acquiring better results within less time.
Keywords: PETG, Taguchi Method, ASTM D790, Change in Orientation.
1.Introduction:
Additive Manufacturing is also known as 3D printing technology, the process which
produces an object from a CAD model to the addition of layer by layer of material on a fixed
bedplate. 3D printed objects can also be used as prototypes, tools and also final working
parts. This technology also has the potential to build complex structured objects with accurate
dimension by easy layer by layer constructions. Additive manufacturing printed objects have
many advantages over conventional manufacturing methods.We use this Additive
manufacturing technology in various engineering applications, personalized objects, pre-
surgical models and optimized products. This made an industrial revolution in the
manufacturing industry that obtain its application in various industrial engineering fields,
including medical implants, automobiles, aircraft and much more. Usually, design engineers
encounter the challenge of manufacturing the products to reach client satisfaction even in
complex shapes. The 3D printing tools have been developed to understand the mechanical
behaviour of products with instructions or suggestions for the design engineer.
The mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy of the final product depend on various
parameters given by the slicing software. The slicer software authorizes to change several
printing parameters, which affects the dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties of the
3D printed object. The printing parameters which involve layer height, Orientation of 3D
Printed object, Printing Temperature, Speed, infill percentage, Shell thickness, infill pattern
and nozzle diameter etc. Along withthis parameter, the surrounding conditions also
influence.The influenced parameters are predicted in the figure-1.
 Fig1: Parameters that effects mechanical properties of 3D Printing sample
Earlier noticed from literature survey Adi Pandzica, Damir Hodzicb & Aleksa Milovanovicc
[1] in their paper impact of infill type and density on tractable properties, 3D printing time
and measure of 3D literature will be explored and introduced.
R. Srinivasana , K. Nirmal Kumarb, A. Jenish Ibrahimc, K.V. Anandud, R.
Gurudhevane[2] In their paper learns about the rigidity of the FDM created part made of
Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PTEG) with the process parameter infill design is
thought about and any remaining boundaries are kept steady.
The FDM method includes different types of materials. Thermoplastics are mainly used 3D
printed filaments. In the recent era, the development of reinforced filaments is also used, such
as fibreglass filaments. The most commonly used thermoplastic filaments are PETG
(Polyethylene terephthalate glycol), Polylactic Acid, Polycarbonate, ABS, nylon and many
more. PETG material has better durability and formability for manufacturing to produce
objects quickly. PETG filament combines ductility and strength helps to use it for many
applications to build mechanical parts and robotics. It is the main reason for the selection of
this material for the research topic.
In this paper, we discuss the influence parameters of Layer height, Change in Orientation,
Printing Temperature and Speed, which influence the mechanical properties of PETG
material to find the Flexural Strength by 3 points bending load. We use the optimization
technique by Taguchi method, which helps to provide the better suitable parameters to print
the 3D printed object. In the Taguchi method, we use 3 Level design with 4 no of factors that
give the L9 approach to follow. The L9 approach suggeststo 3D print of total of 9 different
samples by arranging or interconnectingfourother parameters of layer height (0.1,0.2,0.3),
Change in Orientation (0o, 25o, 45o), Printing Temperature (230oC, 250oC, 270oC) and Speed
(30, 60, 90). The total 9different sample is printed with same PETG material in closed printer
with suitable bed temperature.
The paper is organised in the following manner section 2 describes the detalils of samples
and experimental procedure results and discussions are covered in the section 3. Finally
conclusions are drawn in section 4.
2.Experimental Procedure:
In this paper, we explore the influence of the parameters for flexural strength on PETG
material by optimization technique with the Taguchi method. The standard dimensions of
ASTMD790 isused to understand the flexural properties ofthe reinforced thermoplastic
material. With ASTMD790 dimensions, a CAD model is prepared in Solidworks; then in
open source UltimakerCura(4.8.0),Slicer software is used to convert the CAD model into
slicing format by adjusting the parameters the G-codes are generated to control and interface
with the 3D printer. To prepare the 3D printed sample, we use the FDM method built on
CURA closed printer. The PETG filament of 1.75mm diameter with 0.4nozzel was used to
print all the samples.

Fig 2: Flexural Test sample according to ASTM D790 standards

3.a) Samples before testing

Fig 3: 3D Printed Samples by FDM method
The determined 3D printing parameters such as layer height (0.1,0.2,0.3), Change in
Orientation (0o, 25o, 45o), Printing Temperature (230oC, 250oC, 270oC) and Speed (30, 60,
90).), with the optimization technique by Taguchi method with L9 approach we set up 9
different samples(Table 5) to be 3D printed. The printing time also varies based on the given
input parameters. After 3D printing the samples, the Flexural test are performed by an
Electronic UTE-10 machine, which servesa load range upto 100KN. The 3D printed samples
are tested 3-point bending load at a speed of 1mm/min.
 Fig 4: 3-Point bending load setup
3.Results & Discussion:
In this Taguchi method, thetotal 9samples of PETG material with four different parameters
are tested. Effect of parameters on Flexural strength was tested with 3-Point bending load,
and the results are examined in table (5), which further examined to get optimized value for
better result.

Fig 5: Taguchi method L9 approach samples preparation with results

The flexural strength values for nine different samples are present in table (5). From the
Analysis of Taguchi method from table (5), we get a ranking order of most influencing
parameters to least influencing parameter Fig (6). The analysis also gives the graphical data
Fig (7), which predicts which parameter gives the highest flexural strength value is defined in
each factor. The graphical data says that these parameters, such as layer height 0.1,
Orientation 30o, Temperature 250oC, and Speed 30mm/sec give the optimization value that
possesses the highest flexural strength to print the sample.
 Fig 6: Ranking order of influence paramters for Flexural strength

Fig 7: Graphical Representation on parameters effect

After analyzing the data, we printed a 3D sample with parameters such as layer height 0.1,
Orientation 30o, Temperature 250oC, and Speed 30mm/sec. This sample is tested under a 3-
Point bending load. The Flexural strength for optimized parameters is 85.56MPA, which is
highest than the predicted analysis of the Taguchi method. It’s says that the Taguchi method
for optimization parameters data gives the best outcome to obtain maximum Flexural
strength.
4.Conclusion:
In the present work, the results acquired from the Flexural strength, it can conclude that layer
height, Temperature, speed, and orientation parameters play an important role in influencing
mechanical properties. Optimization Technique of Taguchi method gives the best suitable
parameters to print which posses high Flexural Strength Values. As layer height increases,
the Flexural strength decreases because no of layers becomes small and depends on bonding
strength between layers. Speed of nozzle increases the insufficient cooling and week layer
adhesion which affects the flexural strength. In the future experimental research should be
based on bonding between the two layers to be considered, so it also helps to improve the
mechanical properties. To understand the bonding between layer SEM analysis can be made
further scope.
5.Acknowledgment: Authors(G.Aravind student Snist, Mr.Shirish.B Asst-prof Snist,Dr.A
Purushotham professor Snist) thank the Principal and HOD of Sreenidhi Institute of
Science and Technology for providing necessary resources for doing this project.
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DOI: 10.2507/30th.daaam.proceedings.074
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