Material Optimization Method in 3D Printing

Abstract

The composite materials with the specified mechanical property open new opportunities for the material optimization. Notably, in 3D printing, several materials can be applied in a single manufacturing process. The critical review of various materials shows a new path to use these materialsboth in Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) printing and in the filament for Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printing. The idea of optimization is crucial by relying on the mechanical property of materials and automate it in 3D printing. It is performed by considering the input parameters and the application of the products. The current problem of multi-material optimization is the lack of thorough material property analysis and implementation to develop a proper database. Thus, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) on the selected materials with different specimens and with reasoning results is discussed to investigate materials property. The obtained results can be applied to the material optimization process by selecting proper material according to the boundary conditions. The algorithms of topology optimization indicate the proper application of the obtained results. In this paper, 3D printing through the physical algorithm with the methods of active and inactive points of investigation on geometry is presented. Thus, the inactive points can be excluded, and the material usage could be reduced.