Multi-parameter optimization of PLA/Coconut wood compound for Fused Filament Fabrication using Robust Design

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of four variables during fused filament fabrication of organic biocompatible composite material, PLA with coconut flour, at the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and elasticity module (E) of the printed parts. The parameter optimization uses Taguchi L18 design and regression models. The examined deposition variables are the layer thickness, the nozzle temperature, the raster deposition angle, and filament printing speed. The effects of the above variables on the strength of the parts are essential to enhance the mechanical response of the printed parts. The experimental outcomes are investigated using the ANOM and ANOVA and modeled utilizing linear regression models. In addition, an independent experiment was repeated three times at optimum parameters’ levels to evaluate the methodology, giving predictions errors less than 3%. The observed results showed that the raster deposition angle dominates among the other variables in the studied experimental area. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.