Computer-aided design (CAD) compensation through modeling of shrinkage in additively manufactured parts

Despite the advantages that additive manufacturing (AM) processes present and the progressive number of activity sectors that they emerge in, their successful adoption is currently hampered by defects in surface finish as well as dimensional and geometrical precision. This results in reduction of their suitability for net shape manufacturing, thereby, requiring the evaluation of their performances. Considering this notion, this paper deals with in-plane deviation modeling of material shrinkage occurring in fused deposition modeling (FDM) process. To achieve this aim, two models were developed, each for circular and squared shapes. The objective was to first understand the deviation behavior, then compare it with actual data extracted from a test part to find out the rates with which the shrinkage would be compensated, and finally based on the obtained results, the CAD file would be modified. The experimental findings showed the effectiveness of the adopted methodology and the ability of developed models to compensate for the deviation.