Optimisation of FDM process parameters by Taguchi method for imparting customised properties to components

Customisation of material properties by route of controlling the process parameters is a landmark ability of the additive manufacturing (AM) processes. Parametric optimisation of fused deposition modelling process using Fortus 250mc modeller is accomplished for conical primitives of constructive solid geometry in the present research. Experiments were designed according to the Taguchi technique for four factors at three levels each - slice height (SH), contour width (CW), raster width and air gap (AG). Analysis of signal-to-noise ratios is utilised for establishing the optimal process parameters and the relative percentage contribution of factors is estimated using ANOVA. Optimal levels of process parameters are found to vary with the variation in the type of basic shape of primitive. It has been established that AG has a maximum impact over the part build volume followed by CW and SH. Also, it can be safely concluded that the interaction effect of parameters is relatively less important.