Redesign of a Metallic Component Using Polylactic Acid - PLA by Fused Deposition Modeling - FDM for Durability Increase

The term "3D printing" can refer to a variety of processes where material is deposited, joined, or solidified under computer control to create a three-dimensional (3D) object. According to this principle, the material is added (such as fluid molecules or powder grains being fused together), typically layer by layer. One of the key advantages of 3D printing is the ability to produce very complex shapes or geometries, from the simplest to the most complex, that will be otherwise impossible to construct by hand, including hollow parts or parts with internal truss structures to reduce weight. In industries and companies where 3D printing is still a relatively new addition, the polylactic acid (PLA) material is the best option, because it is known in the industry as the easiest filament material to print. It is ideal for those who are looking to carry out fast prototyping, therefore it is the perfect choice for quick work. In this article, the authors intend to establish a set of printing rules for a geometric shape made of polymeric material (PLA) through the 3D printing process for a practical application and to present as much as possible the behavior in time of this printed component that replaces a non-corrosive metal component.