A printability index for linking slurry rheology to the geometrical attributes of 3D-printed components. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ketel, Sabrina; Falzone, Gabriel; Wang, Bu; Washburn, Newell; Sant, Gaurav
• Is Part Of: Cement & concrete composites. Volume 101(2019)
• Page Start: 32
• Page End: 43
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: 3D-printing -- Rheology -- Laser triangulation -- Quality control -- CAD; Composite-reinforced concrete -- Periodicals; Concrete -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composites de ciment -- Périodiques; Béton -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Béton léger -- Périodiques; Cement composites; Composite materials; Composite-reinforced concrete; Concrete; Lightweight concrete; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.135
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2018.03.022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-9465

Abstract

Abstract: While the field of 3D-printing (3DP; formally known as additive manufacturing) has increasingly matured, its use in large-scale applications, e.g., building and infrastructure construction, remains limited. Although layer-wise slurry deposition/extrusion (LSD/E) methods are amenable to scale-up and offer versatility in terms of the materials that can be printed (i.e., "inks" that can be used), there is a lack of quantitative metrics to assess the geometrical attributes of printed components vis-à-vis their 3D-CAD (computer-aided design) inputs. To address this limitation, we present an original method to assess the external geometrical attributes of 3D-printed components using laser triangulation-based 3D-scanning. Significantly, a printability index (0 ≤ I p ≤ 1, unitless) is presented which compares the overall geometric fidelity of the printed specimen to its CAD input. By adjusting the rheology of a model silicate-based slurry, we examine the relationships between slurry rheology, shrinkage and printability. The printability index offers a quantitative basis for assessment and quality control of 3D-printed components, while helping to develop an improved understanding of how slurry behavior, and optimizations therein can maximize printability.