3D Printer parameters analysis for PCL/PLA filament wire using Design of Experiment (DOE)

Fabrication of medical implant using composite Polycaprolactone (PCL) / Polylactic Acid (PLA) through a process of fused filament fabrication (FFF) is the future of medical field. In this study the capabilities of FFF process and optimization of the Parameter was investigated to achieve the 20mm × 20mm × 10mm dimensional accuracy of printed composite material. Design of experiment using technique full factorial with two level design is used to study the interaction of factor which is print temperature (A), height of deposition (B), print speed (C) and travel speed (D). By using DOE, the total 20 run include with 4 center point was investigated by extruding the composite material using 3D printer. The dimension accuracy is tested using flexible measuring machine. From the sample, the ANOVA analysis of variance is divided into 3 responses, length, width and height. Factor model A, C and BD show the significant effect on length and for width response, factor model effected the dimensional accuracy is A, C, AC, and AD. Meanwhile for height respond only factor model A and C show the significant effect on the respond. Based on the analysis, one optimum parameter run is selected among ten of the suggested run. The optimum parameter value consists of 136°C print temperature, 0.12mm deposition of height, 20mm/s printing speed and 22mm/s travel speed. The confirmation run analysis this optimum parameter shows the precise dimension with average margin error below that 15% for length, width and height respond.