Investigation of additive manufacturing surface smoothing process

Abstract

Purpose The additive manufacturing technologies have been facing an extraordinary growth along the past years. This phenomenon might be correlated with rise of low-cost FDM technologies into the non-professional market segment. In contrast with that, among the main disadvantages found in this sort of equipment are the final object finishing and low mechanical strength. For that reason, the purpose of this paper is to present and characterise a surface treatment which is based on solvent vapour attack and that is also known as smoothing process. In addition, a concise overview about the theory beneath this process is presented besides an experimental study that evaluates the main effects on the mechanical properties of object. Design/methodology/approach To analyse the benefits of this process, the authors preliminarily investigated the working mechanism that supports such surface treatment. It allowed them to identify and select a proper solvent for each material. The authors have also established that the exposure time repetition numbers (passes) were the main variables, whereas temperature, solvent type, drying time, object direction and object shape were constants. The main object dimensions, surface roughness, absorbed solvent mass and mechanical strength were the main study responses. Findings As a result of this work, the peak-peak roughness was reduced in 71 per cent, indicating the potential benefit of this process. On the other hand, excessive solvent exposure implied on relevant dimensional distortions and internal disruptures. It was also possible to see that the vapourised solvent penetrate into the object surface and fused layers and filaments. As consequence, the mechanical strength was also improved. Originality/value Despite the growth that additive manufacturing market segment has seen along the past years, the finishing and mechanical strength of low-cost equipment still lack for improvements. For that reason, applications like solvent vapour attack or smoothing process new perspectives for this non-professional segment, whereas roughness and mechanical strength are improved after its treatment. As a consequence, it is possible to consider a final object to be obtained directly from low-cost FDM in combination with smoothing process.

Effect of stage-dependent addition of nanoparticles in additive manufacturing

“…The roughness tremendously decreased on post-processing the parts with nanoparticles and chemical. 14,32 A decrease of 94.24% in roughness value was achieved compared to the pristine polymer. A smoothing effect was achieved by the interaction of the DMK with the ABS polymer which resulted in improving the surface finish of the parts.…”

“…Moreover, the flexural strength was increased because of post-treatment. In a similar attempt, Cunico et al 14 studied the effect of chemical treatment on FFF parts. The fabricated parts were exposed to hot acetone solvent vapours.…”

Covid-19: Additive Manufacturing Response in the Uk

“…Biocompatible safety is not assured by appropriate material selection alone. AM processes can alter material properties and performance [ 27 , 28 ] and in some cases, particularly relating to post-production methods, expose parts to additional chemicals or materials which may alter part safety and performance [ 29 ]. Risks of toxicity are considerably lower for devices used outside of the body as opposed to other types of high-risk devices and equipment, however, parts could still pose a risk to the user if not managed correctly.…”

FDM Rapid Prototyping Technology of Complex‐Shaped Mould Based on Big Data Management of Cloud Manufacturing

“…The forming wire is extruded with a certain width when forming parts are produced by using the FDM rapid prototyping technology, and there is a distance between the actual contour line and the theoretical contour line when the nozzle is filled (as shown in Figure 11). The width of extruded forming wire is a variable due to the influence of extrusion speed, filling speed, layer thickness, and nozzle diameter, so it is necessary to establish a cross-sectional model of the extruded wire [26] (as shown in Figure 12), so as to make clear the quantitative relationship between the extrusion width W and the technological parameters, in order to lay a theoretical foundation for the next step of postprocessing.…”