Measuring the Surface Roughness of Composite Materials produced by FDM Technology

Abstract

In the manufacturing process, it is imperative to thoroughly measure and inspect produced components for quality. This entails a meticulous series of checks and tests to ensure each component meets required standards and specifications. Employing quality control methods such as both contact and non-contact techniques facilitates monitoring and enhancing manufacturing quality. High-quality components enable manufacturers to meet customer expectations, minimize waste, and bolster profitability. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a prevalent manufacturing method utilizing material extrusion additive technology known for its cost-effectiveness. However, there exists limited exploration regarding the influence of various FDM process parameters on surface roughness parameters like Ra, Rq, and Rz across different facets (bottom, hole, and wall). This knowledge gap presents a challenge in achieving the desired quality levels for functional parts. Furthermore, assessing stress relaxation pre and post-printing is vital to ensure compliance with quality standards. This research endeavors to address this gap by analyzing the surface roughness of printed components under varied process parameters for materials such as CPE, Nylon PA12, and CF. Optical microscopy will scrutinize surface morphology while a CMM machine will measure geometric shape. Through this analysis, we aim to optimize manufacturing processes by identifying optimal parameters for producing functional components with desired surface roughness and quality.