4th Dimension Technologies is proud of its collaboration with Aegean University in order to give the more appropriate solution for completing the university’s research project with Stratasys’ 3D printers.
K.Bailas, M.Stratis, N.Politopoulos, N.Polyzogopoulos
Project Title: “Minimize the production cost of extrusion-based AM parts by optimizing their internal building geometry”.
A few words about the Department of Product & Systems Design Engineering at the University of the Aegean:
The Department of Product & Systems Design Engineering was founded in 2000 when it began its academic operation. It belongs to the Polytechnic School of the University of the Aegean, and it is based in Syros. This is the first department of Design Engineering in Greece. The object of study of the Department is the complete design of modern and emerging products, systems and services. Moreover, the Department produces a high-level research project, which is internationally recognized by the scientific community and is used for the enrichment of educational material in the individual scientific and technological fields covered by the study program.
About the project:
The evolution and the establishment of Additive manufacturing (AM) technology in industry over the last decade was aided mostly by new materials which were developed in parallel with advanced ΑΜ techniques and machines that use a wide variety of simple or blend polymers and metals. Nevertheless, the future of ΑΜ technology is based on the further reduction of production costs as well as the increase of the quality and durability of the produced parts.
The project was concerned with the decrease of the production cost of products made with extrusion-based AM process by minimizing the mass and controlling the durability using the meaning of design intent while maintaining the quality and the dimensions of the outer surface of parts and allows the creation of heterogeneous objects with new improved internal structure.
The proposed methodology was based on the identification of the areas of the solid to be enhanced using CAE simulation system and the redesign of the internal structure of the part using the meaning of design intent. This allows the creation of heterogeneous objects with new improved internal structure overcoming the low capabilities of machine software that uses G-Code compiler, which does not allow the definition of the internal geometry according to the desired durability of the produced part.
The Solution:
All the specimens were made using Stratasys prototype machines. More particularly, Dimension (FDM technology) and Object30 Prime v5 (Polyjet Technology) were used to succeed in quality products and gain time in printing prototypes. The specimens were bent (3-point bend method) using Shimadzu tensile machine and Young modulus and the maximum strength of the produced parts were calculated for every material. It is very important with experimental procedures to use reliable machines with high standards to certify the results of measurements of the produced specimens that need which must comply with a specific standard.
A few words about 4th Dimension Technologies:
Fourth Dimension S.A. was founded in 2009, is based in Athens and provides a high-level consulting service for 3D printers, scanners and software too, in Greece, Middle East, Cyprus and Malta. Establishing a clear understanding of the processes, of products and your future business goals, the company is able to propose, provide and successfully implement the best and most economical solution for facilitating smooth transfer to 3d technology. We understand the need to develop faster and more innovative high-quality products and make them available to the market at the lowest possible cost and we offer the most suitable solutions.
We really want to thank the professors/ researchers Bailas Konstantinos, Louka Eleftheria Sotiria, Papanikos Paraskevas for allowing us to assist with their research and for this great collaboration.
Πανεπιστήμιο Αιγαίου | Πολυτεχνική Σχολή | Τμήμα Μηχανικών Σχεδίασης Προϊόντων και Συστημάτων
277 – Abstract_Bailas_Papanikos_Second_Paper.pdf (polcomconference.com)
