PSI - Issue 37

Tiago Domingues et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 37 (2022) 847–856 Author name / Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2019) 000 – 000

855

9

The parameters used for printing the best produced PEEK part were the following: an extruder temperature of 380 ºC, a bed temperature of 155 ºC, a chamber temperature of 100 ºC without using the radiation system, a perimeter velocity of 20 mm/s, an infill velocity of 10mm/s, an infill of 10 %, and 4 top and bottom solid layers.

Table 4 - Results and observatiosn from PEEK produced components

Part Identification

X (Dimension/ Variation) 19.6mm/ -2.0%

Y (Dimension/ Variation) 20.4mm/ 2%

Z (Dimension/ Variation) 19.9mm/ 0.5%

Main Observations

1

Discoloration and warping effect noted. Discoloration, warping effect and a delamination noted. Warping effect and a delamination noted.

2

19.5mm/ -2.5%

20.3mm/ 1.5%

20.0mm/ 0.0%

3

19.5mm/ -2.5%

20.3mm/ 1.5%

20.0mm/ 0.0%

4. Conclusions A machine was developed with the capabilities to print both PEI and PEEK materials. Of all the established initial requirements, two have been fully met, namely the hot end of the extruder capable of reaching 420 °C and the bed temperature capable of reaching 140 °C. Regarding the ambient temperature, the maximum temperature reached was 110 °C, which was lower than the 120 °C required. This value has already been reached with the outside temperature of the stepper motor at 57 °C, and consequently 7 °C above the maximum ambient temperature specified by the manufacturer, which, although not affecting the operation of the motor, may shorten its service life. Even though the specified requirement was not fully met, parts were successfully made both in PEEK and in PEI, which is probably due to the addition of the radiant heating system which allows for an increase of about 30 °C at the surface for the same ambient air temperature, which is believed to create the right conditions for printing PEI and PEEK parts. As for the parts that the machine was able to produce, although they had some minor flaws, the parts were successfully produced from PEEK and PEI materials. For the PEI final produced component some ringing occurred, which should be addressed by reducing the mechanical vibration associated with the machine movement, and humidity effects were noted, meaning that a longer drying process should be used. For the PEEK parts, the final produced part presented some warping, ringing and a slight delamination implies the need for reducing the vibrations associated with the functioning of the machine and that the thermal parameters should still be optimized for the production of better parts. Globally, it was concluded that a machine capable of producing high-performance thermoplastics by the fused filament fabrication method was successfully developed. References 3D4MAKERS, n.d. PEI Ultem 1010 Filament [WWW Document]. URL https://www.3d4makers.com/products/pei-filament (accessed 10.1.21a). 3D4MAKERS, n.d. PEEK Filament [WWW Document]. URL https://www.3d4makers.com/products/peek-filament (accessed 10.1.21b). 3DXTECH, n.d. ECOMAX PLA [WWW Document]. URL https://www.3dxtech.com/product/ecomax-pla/?attribute_pa_diameter=1 75mm&attribute_pa_weight=1kg&attribute_pa_color=black (accessed 10.1.21a). 3DXTECH, n.d. MAX-G PETG [WWW Document]. URL https://www.3dxtech.com/product/max-g-petg/?attribute_pa_diameter=1 75mm&attribute_pa_weight=1kg&attribute_pa_color=black (accessed 10.1.21b). 3DXTECH, n.d. 3DXTECH ABS [WWW Document]. URL https://www.3dxtech.com/product/3dxtech-abs/?attribute_pa_diameter=1 75mm&attribute_pa_weight=1kg&attribute_pa_color=black (accessed 10.1.21c). 3DXTECH, n.d. THERMAX PEEK [WWW Document]. URL https://www.3dxtech.com/product/thermax-peek/?attribute_pa_diameter=1 75mm&attribute_pa_weight=250g&attribute_pa_color=natural (accessed 10.1.21d). Attaran, M., 2017. The rise of 3-D printing: The advantages of additive manufacturing over traditional manufacturing. Bus. Horiz. 60, 677 – 688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2017.05.011 Gardner, J., Stelter, C.J., Yashin, E.A., Siochi, E.J., 2016. High Temperature Thermoplastic Additive Manufacturing Using Low-Cost, Open Source Hardware. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.20690.15049 J. Swansom, W., Turley, P.W., J. Leavitt, P., J. Karwoski, P., E. LaBossiere, J., L. Skubic, R., 2004. High temperature modeling apparatus. US6722872B1.