An experimental investigation into the dimensional error of powder-binder three-dimensional printing. Issue 5 (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Islam, M.; Sacks, Samuel
• Is Part Of: International journal of advanced manufacturing technology. Volume 82:Issue 5/8(2016)
• Page Start: 1371
• Page End: 1380
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: 3D printing -- Powder-binder printing -- Additive manufacturing -- Rapid prototyping -- Dimensional error; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Production engineering -- Periodicals; 670.427
• DOI: 10.1007/s00170-015-7482-7
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-3768

Abstract

Abstract This paper is an experimental investigation into the dimensional error of the rapid prototyping additive process of powder-binder three-dimensional printing. Ten replicates of a purpose-designed part were produced using a three-dimensional printer, and measurements of the internal and external features of all surfaces were made using a general purpose coordinate measuring machine. The results reveal that the bases of all replicates (nominally flat) have a concave curvature, producing a flatness error of the primary datum. This is in contrast to findings regarding other three-dimensional printing processes, widely reported in the literature, where a convex curvature was observed. All external surfaces investigated in this study showed positive deviation from nominal values, especially in thez -axis. Thez -axis error consisted of a consistent positive cumulative error and a different constant error in different replicates. By compensating for datum surface error, the average total height error of the test parts can be reduced by 25.52 %. All the dimensional errors are hypothesised to be explained by expansion and the subsequent distortion caused by layer interaction during and after the printing process.