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FDM 3D Printing Technology and Its Fundemental Properties

Conference Paper · June 2020

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 FDM 3D Printing Technology and Its Fundemental
Properties

Kianoush Haghsefat , M.Sc.Eng. Liu Tingting , Associate professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering
Nanjing University of Science and Technology Nanjing University of Science and Technology
Nanjing, CHINA Nanjing, CHINA
Kianoushhagh@njust.edu.cn liutingtingwy@163.com

Abstract— ABS and PLA materials are commonly used The FDM equipment has low manufacturing cost and easy
consumables for FDM 3D (Additive Manufacturing) printers. operation. Although the printing accuracy is slightly inferior,
There are differences in the performance of the two materials. the consumables used are cheap, the equipment maintenance
The printing model exhibits local warping, cracks between is simple, and the overall cost performance is high. Therefore,
layers, broken wires, clogged nozzles, odors, and wire drawing it is favored by a wide range of users.
Differences, the article aims at these problems, according to the
different properties of ABS and PLA materials, some
corresponding solutions are proposed to improve the yield of
model printing and provide reference for users.

I. INTRODUCTION
3D printing technology is an advanced manufacturing
technology integrating mechanical engineering, computer,
CAD, reverse engineering technology, layered solid
manufacturing technology, numerical control technology and
new materials. It has a wide range of development and
application prospects, and is regarded as the third human
industry New revolutionary technology. The so-called 3D
printing is the process of layering the three-dimensional CAD
model of the part, using a printer to print and stack layer by
layer, and finally get the solid model.
According to the principle of layer-by-layer printing, 3D
printing technology can also be divided into a variety of
molding processes, common ones are: light curing molding Figure 1. FDM 3D Printing Diagram
(SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS),Selective laser melting
(SLM), fused deposition manufacturing (FDM), three- The technology of the FDM-type process is becoming
dimensional printing molding (3DP ) and etc. Among them, more and more mature, and there has been great progress in
the fused deposition manufacturing (FDM) process is the most terms of equipment manufacturing accuracy and control
widely used technology. Its working principle is to heat and software. However, for users, many problems will still be
melt the filamentous hot-melt material and extrude it through encountered during use. This article proposes corresponding
a fine nozzle and deposit and adhere layer by layer according solutions to problems commonly encountered during the use
to the slice model. of materials commonly used in FDM 3D printers, and
provides some reference for users.

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 II. INTRODUCTION OF COMMON MATERIALS
The materials used in the FDM process are basically
thermoplastic plastics. In addition to meeting basic
performance requirements, they should also have certain
mechanical properties and shrinkage to meet the process
requirements. The materials can be divided into support
materials and molding materials. ABS and PLA are common
molding materials, which are most used in the FDM process.
A. ABS material
ABS plastic is a polymer composed of three monomers,
acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene. It has good physical and
mechanical properties and excellent dimensional stability.
ABS printing starts with softening temperature of 105℃,
nozzle printing temperature is 210~ 240℃ and heating plate
temperature is above 80℃.
B. PLA material
PLA is a new type of biodegradable material that does not
pollute the environment. It has a low shrinkage rate and good
stability when printing large-size models. The melting
temperature of PLA material is 145~160℃, the printing
temperature of the nozzle is 180~200℃, and the temperature
of the heating plate is 60~70℃.
III. COMMON PROBLEMS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS
FDM 3D printers often encounter many problems in use:
some are caused by the machine, and the machine can be
properly repaired and resolved; some are caused by the nature
of the material, which is usually inevitable, but can be
analyzed, using some simple methods to reduce the impact.
A. Material selection principles
The stability of both ABS and PLA materials is very good,
which can be used for printing various models. Generally,
PLA materials are mostly used. Because PLA materials are
renewable and degradable materials, they are non-polluting
and cost-effective. PLA materials are easier to print, and the
possibility of local warping at the bottom, cracks between
layers, separation of the bottom layer from the platform, etc.
Smaller, higher yield of printing.
However, if there are requirements for the use of the
model, such as high temperature environment, forced
extrusion, and other practical uses, not only the model, you
must choose ABS material, because its mechanical properties
such as low temperature resistance, impact resistance, etc.
PLA is good, and ABS can invade a small amount of acetone
to cause a chemical reaction to make the surface of the model
smoother. The infiltrated acetone can also be used as a binder
to make the layers more reliable.
No matter the model printed by ABS or PLA material, 3D
printing surface treatment liquid can be used for surface
treatment to improve the surface finish of the model and
increase the hardness of the model. It is a very good model
post-processing method.
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B. Material shrinkage s
Both ABS and PLA materials have a certain degree of
shrinkage, but both require that the shrinkage rate be as small
as possible. If it is too large, internal stress is likely to occur,
which may cause deformation of the model such as local
warping and interlayer cracks.
The ABS material has a greater shrinkage rate when cold.
When printing, you must use a hot plate, and the temperature
can be adjusted appropriately. Printing in a confined space,
maintaining a certain temperature can reduce the phenomenon
of local lift and cracks between layers, especially in In the
case of printing large models and long-term printing; measures
should be taken for heat preservation. In addition, when
printing with ABS material, the bottom layer of the model is
easily detached from the printing platform, which is caused by
the nature of the ABS material contracted by cold. The
shrinkage rate of PLA material is a little lower, and the
printing environment requirements are not so strict. It can still
be carried out in an open environment at room temperature,
but generally a heating plate will be used to ensure that the
bottom layer and the platform will not separate.
C. The problem of broken filament and clogged nozzle
The phenomenon of broken wire and clogging of the
nozzle during the use of the material are all related to the
nature of the material. Both ABS and PLA materials are in the
form of filaments and rolled into rolls for printers. They are
prone to break during the drawing process, which is directly
related to their bending strength. The bending strength of ABS
material is slightly higher, and it is generally not easy to break
the wire, but PLA material is different. It will break after a
little impact or bending, and the bending strength is low. In
order to avoid wire breakage, it is best to use a suitable plastic
hose to cover the wire drawing part, or add a wire drawing
device to ensure smooth wire drawing. When not using for a
long time, please pay attention to the moisture-proof of the
material, keep it sealed and avoid impact.
ABS and PLA materials can be smoothly extruded from
the nozzle in the molten state, and the fluidity is better, but
they have certain adhesion and ductility. When the nozzle is
heated for a long time, the material is easy to be in the nozzle
(Especially all-metal nozzles) are stuck nearby, causing
clogging. This situation is more likely to occur when using
PLA materials. The melting temperature of PLA materials is
low. It is directly melted from solid to liquid for printing. It
has good ductility and is more easily attached to the nozzle. It
can reduce the temperature of the nozzle or apply lubricant to
the nozzle. Both can effectively suppress the occurrence of
nozzle clogging.
IV. OTHER ISSUES
Both ABS and PLA materials give off flavor in the molten
state. In particular, the ABS material has a strong pungent
smell, which is particularly uncomfortable, and the PLA
material exudes a sweet smell. But no matter what kind of
smell, long-term inhalation will make people feel
uncomfortable, and the smell generated by printing is
inevitable, so it is necessary to maintain good indoor
ventilation.
Brushing refers to the fact that there is still material
flowing out of the nozzle without extruding material during
the printing process, resulting in many spider-like filaments
adhering to the model. Although the printer is equipped with a
drawback function, the melted material has good fluidity. It is
difficult to control the material to stop the extrusion in an
instant. To reduce the stringing phenomenon, the print
temperature of the nozzle can be appropriately reduced.
V. CONCLUSION
ABS and PLA are commonly used consumables for FDM
desktop printers. The performance of the materials is slightly
different, and the printing problems caused during use are
relatively common. Understanding the characteristics of
materials, choosing appropriate materials, and taking
corresponding measures can effectively improve the yield of
model printing. Printed models often have problems such as
local warping, interlayer cracks, broken wires, clogged
nozzles, odor, and wire drawing. The article has made
corresponding problem analysis for ABS and PLA materials,
and provides simple solutions to users.
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Both ABS and PLA materials give off flavor in the molten
state. In particular, the ABS material has a strong pungent
smell, which is particularly uncomfortable, and the PLA
material exudes a sweet smell. But no matter what kind of
smell, long-term inhalation will make people feel
uncomfortable, and the smell generated by printing is
inevitable, so it is necessary to maintain good indoor
ventilation.
REFERENCES
[1] [1] Yang Jiquan, Zheng Mei, Yang Jianfei, et al. Introduction to 3D
printing technology [M]. Nanjing: Nanjing Normal University Press,
2016.
[2] [2] Guo Yupeng. Research on the overall design and forming process of
FDM desktop 3D printer [D]. Taiyuan: North University of China,
2017.
[3] [3] Zhou Weimin, Min Guoquan. 3D printing technology [M]. Beijing:
Science Press, 2016: 78-80.
[4] [4] Guan Lei, Shi Zimu, Wu Kun. Analysis of the veneer material of
the desktop 3D printer table [J]. Journal of Zhejiang Industry and Trade
College, 2016 (1): 42-44.
[5] Wen Cheng, Xu Shaohua, An Fenju, etc. Process analysis and research
of FDM three-dimensional molding sample defects [J]. Manufacturing
Technology and Machine Tool, 2017 (5): 116-120.