Effect of printing parameters on microscale geometry for 3D printed lattice structures

This study investigated the effect of manufacturing parameters on quality material extrusion additive (MEAM), specifically focusing microscale geometry lattice structures built up by discrete extruded filaments. The height, printing speed and width were investigated. Square grid structures, which can be precisely characterized, used to develop fundamental understanding that translated more complicated in future investigations. Print paths directly created as machine control code (GCode) using FullControl GCode Designer, bypassing conventional multi-stage translation a design from CAD an STL file, slicing software finally GCode. allowed precise parametric all aspects procedure, including would not possible with such over specific order direction each line, offsetting printed lines layer Z half height. was optical microscope X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Microscale changes extruded-filament characterized before after filament-crossing points square structure, internal cavities identified. Printing found crucial parameter should carefully considered for structure applications require high terms minimizing geometric defects. Offsetting crossing extrudates layer-height resulted consistent greatly improved quality.