OPEN ACCESS
This paper aims to overcome the poor effect and slow speed of traditional cleaning methods for clogged nozzles of the fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printers. For this purpose, a high-temperature melting experiment was carried out on thermoplastics, and a thermal analysis was performed by fitting the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve was fitted by cubic spline interpolation. On this basis, an intelligent, rapid nozzle cleaning control system was developed considering the physical cleaning method. The system was applied to clean the clogged nozzle of an actual FDM printer. The results show that the system can complete the cleaning task rapidly without damaging the nozzle. The control system works stably, automatedly and conveniently, providing a guarantee for the effective and timely operation of FDM printers. The research findings shed new light on the application and promotion of FDM 3D printers.
FDM, DSC, nozzle cleaning, 3D printer
[1] Wei W, Chen N, Xu XM, She BL. (2017). Design simulation and experimental study on nozzle cleaning stucture of FDM 3D printer. c+CA: Progress in Engineering and Science 42(4): 1342-1346.
[2] Bikas H, Stavropoulos P, Chryssolouris G. (2016). Additive manufacturing methods and modelling approaches: a critical review. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology 83: 389-405. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-015-7576-2
[3] Ge Q, Wang Y. (2016). Research and design of 3D printer extrusion mechanism based on FDM technology. Modern Electronics Technique 39(22): 100-107.
[4] Jin YF, Wan Y, Zhang B, Ren B. (2016). Temperature control with semiconductor refrigeration for FDM 3D printer and cooling experimental validation. Journal of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering 33(2): 165-168.
[5] Jaya Christiyan KG, Chandrasekhar U, Venkateswarlu K. (2016). Flexural properties of PLA components under various test condition manufactured by 3D Printer. Journal of the Institution of Engineers 99(3): 363-367. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40032-016-0344-8
[6] Marudhappan R, Chandrasekhar U, Reddy KH. (2016). Optimization of simplex atomizer inlet port configuration through computational fluid dynamics and experimental study for aero-gas turbine applications. Journal of the Institution of Engineers 98(5): 595–606. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40032-016-0300-7
[7] Zhang ZQ, Wang ZL, Chen YW, Pang ZX, Wang L, Ma CC. (2016). Structural design and improvement of three jets extrusion mechanism based on FDM 3D printer. Journal of Machine Design 33(11): 56-59. https://doi.org/10.13841/j.cnki.jxsj.2016.11.012
[8] Volpato N, Kretschek D, Foggiatto JA, Gomez da Silva Cruz CM. (2015). Experimental analysis of an extrusion system for additive manufacturing based on polymer pellets. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology 81(9-12): 1519-1531. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-015-7300-2
[9] Yoon HS, Lee JY, Kim HS, Kim MS, Kim ES, Shin YJ, Chu WS, Ahn SH. (2014). A comparison of energy consumption in bulk forming, subtractive, and additive processes: Review and case study. International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology 1(3): 261-279. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40684-014-0033-0
[10] Zhang XP, Su JQ, Gao J. (2015). 3D printing technology and its development in China. Information Technology & Standardization (6): 17-21. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1671-539X.2015.06.005
[11] Li XY, Zhang W, An Y, Chen SQ, Zhang JX. (2017). Study on the characteristics of wax deposition in oil gathering pipelines by DSC thermal analysis. Contemporary Chemical Industry 46(6): 1109-1111+1115. https://doi.org/10.13840/j.cnki.cn21-1457/tq.2017.06.024
[12] He W, Du XP, Ma HZ, Hui XY, Sun XF. (2014). Measurement and analysis of phase transformation temperature of TC4 titanium alloy. Physical Testing and Chemical Analysis (Part A:Physical Testing) 50(7): 461-464.