Issue |
MATEC Web Conf.
Volume 167, 2018
2018 3rd International Conference on Mechanical, Manufacturing, Modeling and Mechatronics (IC4M 2018) – 2018 3rd International Conference on Design, Engineering and Science (ICDES 2018)
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Article Number | 03002 | |
Number of page(s) | 6 | |
Section | Engineering Modeling and Mechatronics | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201816703002 | |
Published online | 23 April 2018 |
A Comparison of FDM Structural Layouts and Implementation of an Open-Source Arm-Based System
1
Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TR, UK
3
Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS), University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TR, UK
a Corresponding author: d.pollard@bristol.ac.uk
Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is a manufacturing process to build components in a layer-by-layer approach through extrusion of polymers from a movable nozzle, allowing for significantly higher degrees of complexity over machined parts. Current FDM systems typically use actuation provided through a gantry or delta structural layout, operating through depositing successive planar layers in a 2.5D process; it has been shown in numerous studies the bonding between layers has significantly lower strength than the homogeneous material or in-plane properties - an issue which can be mitigated through the deposition of curved layers. This paper compares four differing structural layouts of FDM systems (gantry, delta, Stewart Platform, and arm-based) to identify the key advantages of an arm-based method as the increased workspace and manipulability enabling “Additive Finalisation” of components, and suitability for curved layer FDM. Details are then presented of the open-source implementation and evaluation of a 6 degree-of-freedom arm-based FDM printer at the University of Bristol.
© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2018
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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