On Surface Finish and Dimensional Accuracy of FDM Parts after Cold Vapor Treatment

TLDR

Fused deposition modeling builds objects layer by layer and is widely used for prototypes, yet it typically yields poor surface quality and dimensional accuracy. This study investigates how the orientation of part deposition influences surface finish and dimensional accuracy in FDM parts. ABS P430 parts with various primitive geometries were fabricated at orientations from 0° to 90°, measured for surface finish and dimensional accuracy, and then subjected to cold vapor acetone treatment to assess changes. Acetone vapor treatment markedly improved surface finish while causing only minimal changes to dimensional accuracy.

Abstract

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) process is an additive manufacturing technology where objects are manufactured in layers. In the present days, FDM is commercially used to build prototypes, functional components; however, these parts majorly suffer from poor surface quality and dimensional accuracy even for basic part geometries. In the present paper, first the effect of part deposition orientation on surface finish and dimensional accuracy of FDM parts are studied. The part selected for this study is designed in such a way that different primitive geometric features at different directions are present. The parts are built at different orientations (0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°) using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene P430 material, and surface finish and dimensional accuracy are measured at different surfaces. Next, the FDM parts are postprocessed by cold vapor treatment of dimethylketone (acetone) and improvement in surface finish and change in dimensional accuracy are investigated. The results show that surface finish of the components is greatly improved by this vapor treatment process with minimal variations in part geometric accuracy after the treatment.