Desenvolvimento de uma impressora 3D do tipo FFF com sistema multimaterial e multiferramenta

Abstract

The FFF (or FDM® ) additive manufacturing process has become widespread due to the low cost of machinery and materials from Chinese manufacturing after the patent expired in 2009. FFF 3D printing is one of the few techniques that offers the capability of additive manufacture with multiple materials, however, due to frequent problems in current commercial processes, the adhesion to this technology is still in its beginning. This work aimed to develop a 3D printer capable of printing multiple materials in a single process through a multi-tool system to address common problems on the current market machines. To do that, a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) was created, which helped the machine’s digital planning and construction. Subsequently, some validation processes were carried out to validate the implemented concepts. In addition, a statistical study was made to evaluate the repeatability of the tool change system created. As a result, maximum positioning offsets between the tools were 0.013 millimeters, which is a suitable value for the created process. The multi-tool / multimaterial 3D printing tests proved that the intended design worked great, opening options so that, with the same methodology, more tools can be added to the machinery, whether additive manufacturing or other processes such as laser cutting, machining, etc.