Effect of processing parameters on tensile strength of 3D printed parts

One of the main driving forces of manufacturing companies is continuous need for short-term development of new products and decrease of expenses, so that profitability and competition is maintained. Rapid Prototyping Technologies provide that bridge from product conceptualization to product realization in reasonably fast manner, without the fuss of NC programming, Jigs and fixtures. The process of Three Dimensional Printing - 3DP, which is based on original MIT 3DP technology (Massachusetts Institute of Technology -MIT) and improved by Z Corporation, nowadays it is intruded in direct and indirect parts manufacturing regardless its level of complexity. This RP process offers very good ratio between used materials, price, application and a quality of printed models. Main driving factors in a real-life application of the printed models are their mechanical properties, dimensional precision and surface texture quality. In this paper, the research of the effects of process parameters and post processing on the tensile strength of three-dimensional printed models is presented.