2021 Senior Projects Conference

In-Situ Laser Annealing of Fused Deposition Modeled Parts

Team Name: NSE Senior Design Team 2021

Team Members: Chandler Goings, Brandon Hubbs, Mariana Neeley, Jazmine Wheat

Sponsor: Louisiana Space Grant Consortium (LaSPACE), NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) (solicitation NNH20ZEA001N-URSC)

Advisor: Dr. Adarsh Radadia

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a method of additive manufacturing that is commercialized for fabricating prototypes and parts using plastic filaments. However, the main issue with FDM printed parts is that the parts are unable to effectively replicate the strength of traditionally manufactured materials. The project investigates a system that allows in-situ laser annealing of 3D printed parts and whether this system will increase the interlayer bonding of an FDM part. The hypothesis is that by heating up the previously printed layer with laser light as the next layer is being extruded, the two layers will anneal more cohesively, and, thus, increase the interlayer bond and strengthen the part. This investigation of the pre-annealing stage is led by the design and creation of differing specimen samples with and without the use of a laser annealing attachment on an Ender 5 3D printer, use of the tensile mechanical testing method, and optical microscopy of the interlayer bond angles. Mechanical testing methods are used to measure the interlayer bond strength and confirm if the design will be useful for increasing the tensile strength of an FDM part. Samples are also examined with an optical microscope to provide further confirmation of the increased interlayer bonding.