Analysis and improvement of the finite element simulation with Inventor of 3D-printed PLA parts.

Prada, Iván; Domínguez, Manuel

Fused deposition modelling (FDM) is a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process, by which we obtain parts of an anisotropic nature. Due to this behaviour, it is difficult to predict the mechanical response of the parts obtained once they are subjected to external stresses. The current trend is to use the parts obtained by MDF not only as aesthetic or visual prototypes, but also as fully functional parts. It has been observed that of the various parameters that influence the mechanical response of 3D printed parts, the internal filling plays a fundamental role. The use of finite element analysis programs for the simulation of models that include the complex geometry of the internal filling requires a long time for the elaboration of the virtual model, powerful technical means and a long analysis time, with no guarantee of a correct prediction of the behaviour of the part. In this article, by combining experimental and simulation techniques, we propose a methodology to simplify the modelling and finite element analysis process, which allows us to adjust the simulation parameters to certain values, depending on the internal filling geometry, resulting in an accurate prediction of the behaviour of parts printed in PLA subjected to bending.

FUSED deposition modeling; COMPLEX geometry; THREE-dimensional printing; SIMULATION software; MANUFACTURING processes

Técnica Industrial: Revista Cuatrimestral de Ingeniería, Industria e Innovación, 2024, Issue 339, p56

0040-1838

Academic Journal

10.23800/1559