2016 Volume 10 Issue 7 Pages JAMDSM0093
This paper deals with a fabrication method in additive manufacturing (AM). Generally, a large model must be segmented into some parts featuring connector shapes in case that its size is over the fabrication area of AM device. However, the connector portion of each segment is usually the weakest portion in strength because it becomes thinner or narrower than the original shape. In this study, the connector design and fabrication method is investigated in consideration of the strength depending on the deposition direction in AM. Since the most parts fabricated by AM with plastic materials have anisotropic property in strength, the strength of the part can be designed by the build orientation in AM. In this paper, after the concept of the parallel fabrication that is the basis of the segmentation planning is introduced, the anisotropy of strength is evaluated with tensile and fracture tests. Then, the factor of fracturing is discussed by using stress simulation with the finite element method. Finally, the appropriate connector design is proposed and the effectivity is discussed.
