Improving the tensile properties of 3D printed PLA by optimizing the processing parameter (original) (raw)

Low-cost desktop 3D printing is now dominated by free and open source self-replicating rapid prototype. However, optimum printing process parameters have not been provided by the manufacturer, since there are several process parameters that need to be optimized to obtain acceptable dimension error and strength properties. This paper aims to present the optimum process parameters for the 3D printing process of Polylactic Acid (PLA) part using Taguchi Method. A specimen standard of ASTM D638 Type IV made of biodegradable polymer, PLA, has been used as a tensile strength test to represent printed part quality. Four printing process parameters: temperatures, extrusion width, infill density and infill pattern have been optimized using Taguchi Methods. Test was carried out to find the highest tensile strength based on the optimum parameter setting and validated them with experiment. The result shows that the tensile strength response was predominantly influenced by infill density followe...