Optimization of 3D Printing Parameters for Compressive Strength of PLA Using the Taguchi Method

Abstract

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) has significantly advanced in the additive manufacturing of complex geometrical and customized parts, particularly for thermoplastics like Polylactic Acid (PLA). The purpose of the present study is to optimize FDM process parameters to improve the compressive strength of 3D-printed PLA using the Taguchi method. Four process parameters such as infill density, printing speed, layer thickness, and infill pattern type are selected. Among these parameters applied, printing speed had a significant impact on compressive strength. Analysis of variance results revealed that printing speed was dominant, followed by layer thickness in analyzing the compressive strength, but the infill density and infill pattern were not significant. Confirmation tests were provided by Taguchi method. Further, it is found that the optimal compressive strength was achieved with a printing speed of 300 mm/s, a layer thickness 0.3 mm, an infill density of 10, and a pattern shape of grid. Therefore, trial 3 yielded the highest compressive strength results at approximately 42.45 MPa, which is slightly higher than those reported in prior studies.