Study on Dynamic Behaviour in FFF 3D-printing with Crossed Gantry Kinematic

Abstract

Additive manufacturing with fused filament fabrication (FFF) offers rapid prototyping, design flexibility, and cost efficiency, making it a disruptive technology in comparison with traditional subtractive manufacturing. However, the achievable accuracy of current FFF printers is limited, prompting research into factors affecting print quality. This study focuses on investigating the influence of stepper motors and servo motors on 3D printer performance, specifically in a crossed gantry design commonly used in Cartesian printers. Different motors were used in the experimental setup to perform tests such as circularity testing, operational vibration analysis, and repeatable positioning accuracy measurement. The results demonstrate that servo motors outperform stepper motors in terms of vibration reduction and positioning accuracy. Furthermore, it was found that the choice of motor had a limited impact on the achievable surface quality, while vibrations during movement had a more significant influence. This research contributes to understanding the effects of motor selection on 3D printer performance, providing insights for improving additive manufacturing processes.