Optimizing process parameters of fused deposition modeling by Taguchi method for the fabrication of lattice structures

The lattice structure is a type of cellular material that can achieve a variety of promising physical properties. Additive Manufacturing (AM) has relieved the difficulty of fabricating lattice structures with complex geometries. However, the quality of the AM fabricated lattice structure still needs improvement. In this paper, the influence of parameters of the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) process on lattice structures was investigated by the Taguchi method. S/N ratio analysis was used to find the optimal process parameters that improve the printing quality, and ANOVA provided a significance ranking of the various factors analyzed in this paper. It was found that the optimum level and significance of each process parameter vary for horizontal and inclined struts. In addition, compression tests investigate the influence of process parameters on the mechanical properties of lattice structures. The results show that process parameters optimized by print quality can also improve the elastic modulus and the ultimate strength of these lattice structures. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.