Journal Article

3D printing of shape memory polymer for functional part fabrication

Wei, Ying, Chen, Yonghua, Li, Yingtian, Yang, Yang

2016

Overview

This article presents a novel method of shape memory polymer (SMP) processing for additive manufacturing, in particular, fused-deposition modeling (FDM). Critical extrusion process parameters have been experimented to determine an appropriate set of parameter values so that good-quality SMP filament could be made for FDM. In the FDM process, effects of different printing parameters such as extruder temperature and scanning speed on object printing quality are also studied. In all the process studies, we aim to achieve good-quality parts by evaluating part density, tensile strength, dimensional accuracy, and surface roughness. Based on these studies, sample SMP models have been successfully built. Due to the thermal sensitive nature of the printed SMP parts, they can potentially be used as fasteners in active assembly/disassembly, smart actuators, deployable structures for aero-space applications, etc.

• Publisher: Springer London,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Actuators / CAE) and Design / Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD / Deployable structures / Dismantling / Engineering / Extrusion / Fasteners / Fused deposition modeling / Industrial and Production Engineering / Mathematical models / Mechanical Engineering / Media Management / Original Article / Polymers / Process parameters / Rapid prototyping / Shape memory / Space applications / Spacecraft / Surface roughness / Three dimensional printing