Evaluating the Geometrical Accuracy and Surface Morphology of 3D-Printed PLA Parts Processed with CO2 Laser Cutting

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the geometrical accuracy and surface morphology of 3D-printed PLA parts processed with a CO2 laser beam. The research was conducted by cutting PLA plates of varying thicknesses with a CO2 laser beam and analyzing the dimensional accuracy of these plates. The results showed that with increasing plate thickness, the kerf width increased, and the dimensional accuracy decreased. Furthermore, the results obtained through optical microscopy analysis showed that the imperfection of PLA layers stacking created during the 3D printing process led to a reduction in the melting temperature of the material, causing a higher rate of material loss along the edges during the CO2 laser cutting process. The surface topography of the laser-cut samples was characterized by a rough and irregular texture. The results showed that with increasing plate thickness, there was a heightened temperature effect causing excessive melting of the material, particularly in the 6 mm and 8 mm thick plates. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of considering the impact of laser-cutting on the geometrical accuracy of cutting thick-plated PLA.