Optimization of fused deposition 3D printing parameters using taguchi methodology to maximize the strength performance of fish scale powder reinforced PLA filaments

The prime motive of this study is to optimize the fused deposition 3D printing parameters using taguchi methodology to maximize the strength performance of 20% fish scale powder reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) filaments. The CAD program was developed by SolidWorks' software. The Minitab software was used to design the L16 orthogonal array matrix and perform the taguchi based optimization of process parameters. The experimental design covered a range of FDM parameters, including filament type (20% FSP-PLA), infill patterns (line, grid, triangle, concentric), infill density (60-90%), layer thickness (100 mu m to 400 mu m), and nozzle temperature (200 degrees C to 230 degrees C). FDM was used to manufacture these test components and their tensile, flexural, and impact properties were assessed by ASTM standards (D-638, D-790, and D-256). The results emphasized that infill density had the most pronounced influence on mechanical strength. The grid infill pattern, 80% infill density, 300 mu m layer thickness, and 220 degrees C nozzle temperature were the ideal set of settings for the best results. The tensile strength of 51.68 MPa, flexural strength of 91.26 MPa, and impact strength of 14.03 kJ/m2 were achieved with this arrangement. Moreover, the surfaces of shattered components were subjected to morphological alterations analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Importantly, our findings support the sustainability objectives for 3D printing material usage by demonstrating the feasibility of 3D printing with the environmentally beneficial 20%FSP-PLA.