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Path Generation and Optimization for Stress Aligned 5-axis FDM Printing of Anisotropic Liquid-Cristal-Polymers
We optimize the material orientation in a 2.5 to 5-axis FDM 3D printing process using anisotropic materials to improve the manufactured component mechanical properties.
Keywords: Optimization, Path planning, 3D printing, Application
Recent advances in the field of additive manufacturing include the usage of innovative anisotropic materials in FDM (commonly known as 3D printing). These materials can be up to 10 times stronger in the filament deposition direction, when compared to top notch materials like PEEK. When printing a desired component, orienting the molecular domains along the direction of the expected mechanical stress would then dramatically improve the component properties. In collaboration with NematX – an ETHZ spin-off – we plan to investigate the generation and optimization of print paths on a 5-axis FDM machine using anisotropic Liquid-Cristal-Polymers. The manufacturing equipment allows to do non-planar printing, significantly increasing both complexity and potential in comparison to a classical 3D printer. We will initially review the existing literature on topology optimization for anisotropic materials and processes. Then, based on the most promising approaches, we will formulate our path planning problem as a constrained optimization problem, to include the machine and material characteristics. Finally, we will validate our proposed approach experimentally.
The candidates are required to have good knowledge of programming (Matlab or Python). Ideal fields of expertise include mathematical optimization, finite element methods, and additive manufacturing.
Recent advances in the field of additive manufacturing include the usage of innovative anisotropic materials in FDM (commonly known as 3D printing). These materials can be up to 10 times stronger in the filament deposition direction, when compared to top notch materials like PEEK. When printing a desired component, orienting the molecular domains along the direction of the expected mechanical stress would then dramatically improve the component properties. In collaboration with NematX – an ETHZ spin-off – we plan to investigate the generation and optimization of print paths on a 5-axis FDM machine using anisotropic Liquid-Cristal-Polymers. The manufacturing equipment allows to do non-planar printing, significantly increasing both complexity and potential in comparison to a classical 3D printer. We will initially review the existing literature on topology optimization for anisotropic materials and processes. Then, based on the most promising approaches, we will formulate our path planning problem as a constrained optimization problem, to include the machine and material characteristics. Finally, we will validate our proposed approach experimentally.
The candidates are required to have good knowledge of programming (Matlab or Python). Ideal fields of expertise include mathematical optimization, finite element methods, and additive manufacturing.
• Calculate the ideal molecular domains alignment for a given component, mechanical stress and anisotropic printing material
• Generate an optimized non-planar print path maximizing the similarity between the obtained molecular domains alignment and the ideal molecular domains alignment
• Validate the approach experimentally on NematX 5-axis FDM printer
• Calculate the ideal molecular domains alignment for a given component, mechanical stress and anisotropic printing material
• Generate an optimized non-planar print path maximizing the similarity between the obtained molecular domains alignment and the ideal molecular domains alignment
• Validate the approach experimentally on NematX 5-axis FDM printer
Please send your CV and transcript in PDF format to guidetti@inspire.ethz.ch
Please send your CV and transcript in PDF format to guidetti@inspire.ethz.ch