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Multi-parameter optimization of PLA/Coconut wood compound for Fused Filament Fabrication using Robust Design

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Abstract

This study investigates the effects of four variables during fused filament fabrication of organic biocompatible composite material, PLA with coconut flour, at the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and elasticity module (E) of the printed parts. The parameter optimization uses Taguchi L18 design and regression models. The examined deposition variables are the layer thickness, the nozzle temperature, the raster deposition angle, and filament printing speed. The effects of the above variables on the strength of the parts are essential to enhance the mechanical response of the printed parts. The experimental outcomes are investigated using the ANOM and ANOVA and modeled utilizing linear regression models. In addition, an independent experiment was repeated three times at optimum parameters’ levels to evaluate the methodology, giving predictions errors less than 3%. The observed results showed that the raster deposition angle dominates among the other variables in the studied experimental area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forestry, Wood Science and Design, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, 43100, Greece

    John D. Kechagias & Dimitrios Chaidas

  2. Department of Energy Systems, University of Thessaly, Larissa, 41500, Greece

    Stephanos P. Zaoutsos

  3. Mechanical Engineering Department, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, 71410, Greece

    Nectarios Vidakis

Authors
  1. John D. Kechagias
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  2. Stephanos P. Zaoutsos
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  3. Dimitrios Chaidas
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  4. Nectarios Vidakis
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Contributions

Conceptualization was contributed by JK; Methodology was contributed by JK, SZ and DC; Formal analysis and investigation were contributed by JK, SZ, DC and NV; Writing—original draft preparation, was contributed by JK; Writing—review and editing, was contributed by JK, SZ; and NV; Resources were contributed by JK and SZ; Supervision was contributed by JK; All authors have given approval to the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to John D. Kechagias.

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Article Highlights

• Organic PLA wood material for eco-friendly additive manufacturing

• Robust design with applying the L18 Taguchi orthogonal array

• Mechanical response optimized considerably after Taguchi methodology

• Three evaluation experiments at optimum conditions with errors less than 3%

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Kechagias, J.D., Zaoutsos, S.P., Chaidas, D. et al. Multi-parameter optimization of PLA/Coconut wood compound for Fused Filament Fabrication using Robust Design. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 119, 4317–4328 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-022-08679-2

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