Optimisation of Extrusion Temperature and Infill Density of PLA material by using L16 Orthogonal Array

ABSTRACT

FDM is a prominent AM process from which 3D models can be generated. Optimisation algorithms are used to get best levels of process parameters. The aim of this article is to analyse statistically the L16 OA and its corresponding responses in order to obtain optimal process parameter level combinations which could make the product efficient. The process parameters considered were extrusion temperature and infill density. The optimal parameter settings obtained were an extrusion temperature of 220°C and an infill density of 80%. Each parameter was considered at four different levels. Since there were two factors at four levels, L16 OA was preferred to design the experimental plan. The process parameters were selected based on the output responses. A total of 16 samples for each response were manufactured and tested, and statistical analysis was carried out. Statistical approaches like ANOVA analysis and S/N ratio analysis were used to get significance of factors and optimal parameter settings, and analysis was performed using MINITAB 16. Validation tests were carried out with optimal parameter settings as input parameters. Statistical analysis showed that extrusion temperature was a more significant factor compared to infill density for both tensile and compressive strengths.

KEYWORDS:

• Taguchi L16 orthogonal array (OA)
• FDM
• process parameter
• ANOVA
• S/N ratio

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Department of Aeronautical and Automobile Engineering and Department of Mechatronics Engineering Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal, Karnataka, India, for using Material Testing Laboratory facilities to conduct testing of the printed specimens.

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Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data Availability Statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.