Reliability of 3D printed parts/objects

Increasing use of 3D printing techniques to manufacture consumer products raises the question:  What is the reliability of 3D printed parts/objects? I started using some of the 3D printers available at IIT to observe the effects of various printing setting on the mechanical reliability. I also try to observe quality variation between different 3D printers such as Stratsys Dimension UPrint Plus, Airwolf HD, Ultimaker, and Objet Alaris30. Here are some of the pictures from the recent tests and production:

A lot of samples are required for reliable fracture statistics.

Various parts that were made by Stratsys Dimension UPrint Plus.Various parts that were made by Stratsys Dimension UPrint Plus.

Stratsys Dimension UPrint Plus printing standard tensile test specimens with a hole in the center. 

Objet Alaris30 will be used to make fine microstructures, which I will compare with my FEM simulations. 

What is the effect of printing direction on the reliability?

Airwolf HD

Ultimaker 

A lot of samples are required for reliable fracture statistics.
Composite theory seems like a better option to describe fracture behavior of 3D printed ABS parts. 

 

Posted 28th December 2014 by Ozgur Keles

Categories: Uncategorized