Definition of 3D Printing Parameters by the Design of Experiments to Characterise Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polyamide

Abstract

This paper presents the application of an advanced quality management tool, the design of experiments (DOE), in order to characterise a new material (carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide) used in the 3D printing process. The study focuses on the definition of optimal 3D printing parameters, such as nozzle size, temperature, print speed, layer height and print orientation, to achieve desired mechanical properties. The results show that layer height and print orientation have a significant effect on mechanical properties and printing time. This study provides insights into the optimisation of 3D printing parameters for the production of carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide (PA-CF) parts with desired mechanical properties, which can have important applications in various industries, such as aerospace, automotive and medical devices.