This thesis presents a model for the procedures of manufacturing Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) components by calculating required process parameters
using empirical equations. Such an empirical model has been required within the
FFF field of research for a considerable amount of time and will allow for an expansion in understanding of the fundamental mathematics of FFF. Data acquired
through experimentation has allowed for a data set of geometric characteristics
to be built up and used to validate the model presented. The research presented
draws on previous literature in the fields of additive manufacturing, machine engineering, tool-path programming, polymer science and rheology. Combining these
research fields has allowed for an understanding of the FFF process which has
been presented in its simplest form allowing FFF users of all levels to incorporate
the empirical model into their work whilst still allowing for the complexity of the
process.
Initial literature research showed that Polylactic Acid (PLA) is now in common
use within the field of FFF and therefore was selected as the main working material for this project. The FFF technique, which combines extrusion and Computer
Aided Manufacturing (CAM) techniques, has a relatively recent history with little understood about the fundamental mathematics governing the process. This
project aims to rectify the apparent gap in understanding and create a basis upon
which to build research for understanding complex FFF techniques and/or processes involving extruding polymer onto surfaces.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BRADFORD/oai:bradscholars.brad.ac.uk:10454/18399 |
| Date | January 2019 |
| Creators | Hebda, Michael J. |
| Contributors | Whiteside, Benjamin R., Coates, Philip D., Caton-Rose, Philip D. |
| Publisher | University of Bradford, Faculty of Engineering and Informatics |
| Source Sets | Bradford Scholars |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, doctoral, PhD |
| Rights | <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Licence</a>. |
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