Effect of print angle on mechanical properties of FDM 3D structures printed with POM material

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is currently the most popular form of 3D printing. Using this technique, the materials are stacked layer by layer. This study investigates how to increase the mechanical strength of the structure by changing the direction of structure using ANSYS Workbench, SolidWorks 3D Computer Aided Design software (CAD) software, and Umaker (3D printer). The study was divided into two parts. In the first part, model data samples were imported into ANSYS for analysis prior to printing. The models were drawn using the SolidWorks software. The second part used the Umaker 3D printer to print the samples using the polyacetal material (POM). The structures were made using three different directions, 0°, 45°, and 90° of the fused deposition modeling machine. Test specimens were fabricated according to the ASTM D638 165mm × 19 mm × 7 mm [1], type I standard. The mechanical integrity of the samples was assessed using tensile strength tests. The tensile strengths at specified angles of the structure were compared across specimens of each direction type. The results showed that the strength values of the 45° direction type were 65–72% of those of specimen in the 0° direction type demonstrating that direction is a relevant factor in the mechanical integrity of 3D printed structures. Using the results of this study, the life span and mechanical strength of 3D printed structures can be increased. © Springer Science+Business Media Singapore 2017.