Abstract

Fused deposition modeling is a technology, which uses print head’s nozzle that is moved in three dimensions, during extraction of the filament material. The common issue is the fact, that the quality parameters of the deposited model are significantly influenced by the actual material’s flow rate. Although highest accuracy of the model should be obtained when the mass flow rate is directly proportional to an actual velocity of the printer’s head, the discrepancy between expected and real flow rate causes deformations and inaccuracies of the printed path. This phenomena is especially visible during acceleration and deceleration of the printhead. Development of commercially efficient measurement method may be used in software calibration of the material mass flow. In perspective, direct feedback control of material flow rate could increase correlation of quality and print time of deposited models that can lead to an FDM printing process enhancements and refinements in an efficient manner. The influence of the 3D printer’s head velocity on the width of the deposited path is studied using visual methods.

Authors and Affiliations