An Investigation on Achieving Sustainability in Fused Deposition Modeling via Topology Optimization

Authors

  • Andre Espach University of Johannesburg Mechanical Engineering Science, Auckland Park Johannesburg-2006 Republic of South Africa
  • Kapil Gupta University of Johannesburg Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Technology 7225, John Orr Building Doornfontein, Johannesburg- 2028 Republic of South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijes.v9i3.23595

Keywords:

additive manufacturing, FDM, topology optimization, sustainability

Abstract


Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is one of the important additive layer manufacturing techniques, used to fabricate products from heated polymer materials. Like other manufacturing processes, sustainability interventions are desirable in FDM to attain energy and resource efficiency simultaneously with good product quality. This paper reports the results of investigation conducted by the authors on effect of topology optimization strategy on quality of FDM parts and sustainability of the process. A total of eighteen experiments have been conducted by varying infill pattern and density at three levels each for optimized and unoptimized topology, based on Taguchi L18 technique. Statistical fitness of the data has been insured by ANOVA. Both infill density and pattern have been found the significant parameters. Better mechanical strength has been obtained for topology optimized FDM parts. A set of confirmation experiments have been conducted followed by quantification of sustainability and indicated that improved mechanical properties simultaneously with enhanced sustainability can be achieved via topology optimization in FDM process

Author Biographies

Andre Espach, University of Johannesburg Mechanical Engineering Science, Auckland Park Johannesburg-2006 Republic of South Africa

Andre Espach is currently pursuing Master’s degree at University of Johannesburg. He has almost three years of professional experience in engineering design and consulting. He has been working on many projects related to developing numerical and scientific models for complex engineering systems.

Kapil Gupta, University of Johannesburg Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Technology 7225, John Orr Building Doornfontein, Johannesburg- 2028 Republic of South Africa

Kapil Gupta is an associate professor at University of Johannesburg. His area of specialization and interests are advanced manufacturing with special focus on advanced machining processes, industry 4.0, process optimization by intelligent soft computing techniques, additive manufacturing, and sustainable production. He has published many international articles and books. He is working on some research projects in collaboration with international partners. He is supervising over ten postgraduate students.

 

Cover iJES Vol. 9 No. 3 (2021)

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Published

2021-09-27

How to Cite

Espach, A., & Gupta, K. (2021). An Investigation on Achieving Sustainability in Fused Deposition Modeling via Topology Optimization. International Journal of Recent Contributions from Engineering, Science & IT (iJES), 9(3), pp. 4–19. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijes.v9i3.23595

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 3 (2021)

Section

Papers

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