Effect of infill pattern scaling on mechanical properties of FDM-printed PLA specimens

Abstract

Abstract 3D printing offers a significant advantage in the production of hollow parts through the use of infill patterns. However, these patterns are typically generated by slicer software with a primary focus on providing basic structural rigidity, while neglecting other important criteria. This paper presents a simplified infill scaling technique for fused deposition modeling (FDM) and evaluates its effectiveness through tensile tests. The research question addressed in this study is whether adjusting the size of the pattern can reduce print time while maintaining the same stiffness at a given infill ratio. The methodology involves analyzing the results obtained from the tensile tests. The findings reveal that the print time can be reduced to some extent by properly adjusting the size of the infill pattern. However, it is observed that the mechanical resistance is influenced by the layer formation process. In conclusion, this research contributes to understanding the relationship between infill scaling, print time reduction, and mechanical resistance in FDM 3D printing.