Estimating percentage contribution of process parameters towards build time of FDM process for components displaying spatial symmetry: a case study

Generative manufacturing is an innovative technology which is almost 30 years old. It has the ability of quickly transforming concept into physical models. The design cycle is contracted manifolds by utilising these techniques. One of a versatile generative manufacturing technique is fused deposition modelling (FDM) which is used for production of robust and economical prototypes. In the present research, effect of percentage contribution of critical process parameters on the build time requirements of the FDM process is examined for the given build volume in Fortus 250MC modeller. ABS P430 cubical and spherical primitives of constructive solid geometry, which display spatial symmetry in a given build volume, are chosen as work piece. Response surface methodology is utilised as the statistical tool for experimental design and modelling. This work is an attempt towards explicitly defining the process parameters which affect the build time and their percentage contribution. It has been established by this research that the percentage contribution of slice height outweighs the effect of air gap and orientation towards the estimation of build time. Other FDM build parameters like width and inclination of rasters as also width of contours contributes relatively less towards the build time and material volume quantities.