Development of printer nozzle for extruding synthetic biomaterials using fused deposition modeling process
This research focuses on the development of nozzle specifically for opensource 3D printing for extrusion of synthetic biomaterials. The factors that affect the stability, consistency and accuracy of the extrusion process were investigated by using finite element analysis (FEA) including nozzle di...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/67900/1/FK%202018%2035%20IR.pdf |
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| Summary: | This research focuses on the development of nozzle specifically for opensource
3D printing for extrusion of synthetic biomaterials. The factors that
affect the stability, consistency and accuracy of the extrusion process were
investigated by using finite element analysis (FEA) including nozzle die angle,
nozzle diameter and liquefier design. From the simulations, it is seen that the
die angle and nozzle diameter affect the pressure drop along the liquefier. The
pressure drop variation has affected the road width of the printed parts, thus
affecting the quality of the finished product. Based on the simulations, the
convergent angle for extruding polylactic acid (PLA) and
polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) materials was found in this research at 130o
which provides stability and consistency of the extrusion process. For efficient
printing process, nozzle diameter of 0.3 mm was found to be the optimum with
respect to pressure drop and printing time. The liquefier design plays an
important role in maintaining the liquefier chamber’s temperature as constant
as possible. The temperature variation has caused the changes in viscosity of
the material, thus affecting the quality of the finished parts. Liquefier in
cylindrical shape has been identified as the solution in minimizing the problems
as it has been proven from the simulations that portray improved temperature
distribution. The newly developed nozzle was compared with the original
nozzle with respect to dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties and
shows that the newly developed nozzle had a better performance in both
criteria. By solving the issues related stability, consistency and accuracy of the
extrusion process, the scaffold structure was successfully fabricated with
compressive strength between 6 MPa to 7 MPa and porosities between 50%
and 70% which is the range for trabecular bone. Furthermore, humerus bones
was successfully fabricated with controlled porosity. |
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