Analysis of Multiple Print-Head Displacement Mechanisms in 3D Space for Material Extrusion Machine

Abstract

For wider adoption of the material extrusion (MatEx)-based additive manufacturing (AM) process, it is important to understand the systems for an improved production rate of the machine. This AM process is the most adaptable and popular due to its wide availability, scalability, compatibility with a broad range of thermoplastic materials, and decreasing cost of personal MatEx-based systems. The performance limits are being explored by many researchers, but none have tried to find the efficacy of different kinematic configurations. Kinematic configurations can significantly alter the efficiency of the machines. Most machines are operating on Cartesian positioning systems nowadays. Delta and polar positioning systems are not yet been extensively explored. In this study, Cartesian, delta, and polar systems of MatEx 3D printers are analyzed and compared based on physical inspection, print head dynamics and printed parts surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and build time. Based on the comparative study, the results show that the delta system-based 3D printer gives better surface finish and dimensional accuracy than polar and Cartesian system-based 3D printers. The analysis of build time with respect to the different infill densities and different printing speeds shows that the polar system-based 3D printers performed faster than the other two positing systems.