Impact of process parameters on dimensional accuracy of PolyJet 3D printed parts using grey Taguchi method

Abstract

In this study, the dimensional accuracy of parts fabricated with PolyJet 3D Printing Direct process is investigated. An L4 orthogonal array was utilized as the design of experiments, while the process parameters examined are layer thickness, build style and scale. A simple prototype was proposed and specified external and internal dimensions were measured using a digital vernier calliper. Grey-Taguchi method was applied for optimizing all dimensional measurements. The effect of each parameter on dimensional accuracy has been identified using ANOM (Analysis of Means), while ANOVA (Analysis of Variances) has been performed to determine each parameter’s dominance. Additionally, the results of this study were compared with the findings of a previous optimization study in which the usual Taguchi method was used. It was concluded that 16 μm of layer thickness, glossy style and 50% scale provide the optimum dimensional results, while scale is the most important factor.

A review on polyjet 3D printing of polymers and multi-material structures

“…Printing speed 83,85,[86][87][88][89][90]151 and precision 82,83,[91][92][93][94] are the critical parameters that have to be taken into account for a 3D printing process. The influence of part placement, porosity, and part orientation 83 are observed on the dimensional accuracy in X, Y, and Z directions.…”

“…Manufacturing imperfections must be minimized using an optimization technique which takes dimensional deviation into account and evaluates the design. The most often utilized optimization approaches are Taguchi, 91 the response surface approach, and analysis of variance, or ANOVA 114 for experimental design for 3D printing processes. The finite element approaches 32 are popularly employed numerical methods for performing finite element analysis on any fabricated structure.…”

“…A similar analysis 95 compares the dimensional variance of manufactured goods generated using various manufacturing techniques. Polyjet technology is generally associated with low printing speed as compared with other technologies 4,83,85,91,92 . Speed evaluation 85 for different additive manufactured machines is evaluated on ten prepared samples.…”

“…Processing characteristics such as build orientation, number of contours, layer thickness, and print angle 84,92,96,97 have a significant impact on the finished part’s design, quality, functionality, and structural characteristics. Several studies 91,93,98 have also focused on various multi-material extrusion-based 3D printing parameters such as (i) infill speed, (ii) infill density, and (iii) infill pattern along with various 3D printing materials, that is, ABS, PLA, CFR-PLA (carbon fiber-reinforced PLA), CFR-ABS (carbon fiber-reinforced ABS) and CNT-ABS (carbon nanotube reinforced ABS). CFR-PLA was found as a durable material in terms of compression, bending, and tension.…”

The State of the Art of Material Jetting—A Critical Review

“…Aslani et al investigated the effect of layer thickness, surface finish setting and scale on dimensional accuracy of MJ 3D printed parts using the grey Taguchi method. They stated that scale had the largest impact with contribution of 66.54%, followed by build style (contribution = 33.16%) and layer thickness (contribution = 0.3%) [ 34 ].…”