3D printing of textile-based structures by Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) with different polymer materials

TLDR

3D printing builds objects by layering material, offering rapid, flexible production of small parts that can be difficult or costly to make with conventional methods. The study examines how standard and novel polymers affect the properties of 3D‑printed textile‑based structures. The authors use CAD‑generated printable files and Fused Deposition Modelling, where a heated nozzle extrudes filament layer by layer to fabricate the parts.

Abstract

3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing, i.e. creating objects by sequential layering, for pre-production or production. After creating a 3D model with a CAD program, a printable file is used to create a layer design which is printed afterwards. While often more expensive than traditional techniques like injection moulding, 3D printing can significantly enhance production times of small parts produced in small numbers, additionally allowing for large flexibility and the possibility to create parts that would be impossible to produce with conventional techniques. The Fused Deposition Modelling technique uses a plastic filament which is pushed through a heated extrusion nozzle melting the material. Depending on the material, different challenges occur in the production process, and the produced part shows different mechanical properties. The article describes some standard and novel materials and their influence on the resulting parts.