Influence on the accuracy of testing components made on substructures versus whole ones by Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

The production of components intended for prototypes, respectively spare parts through Additive Manufacturing (AM) is currently a widely applied strategy. If the manufacturer does not have at his disposal a sufficiently complex and at the same time flexible 3D printing system, then he resorts to obtaining them through an assembly (for example by means of screws) of its component elements, i.e. of its substructures. The authors aimed to analyze the influence of the method of obtaining the respective product (through modular elements assembled with screws, respectively made of one piece) on its overall stiffness. In this regard, a relative simple structure (a relative long prismatic bar) was considered, which is the usual case would have required a more special 3D printing system, i.e. with a continuously expanding work area. Sets of elements were made, with different degrees of filling, obtained from components that can be assembled by means either of screws, or directly (with the nominal length). From the comparative testing of their stiffness, useful conclusions could be drawn regarding the accuracy of the results of the assembled structures compared to those of the original proposed structures.