Design of a 3D Printer with interchangeable heads

Abstract

In the present test a 3D printer of interchangeable heads for didactic pieces (23x20x16 cm) is designed in theSchool of Mechanical- Electrical Engineering of the Cesar Vallejo University in the city of Trujillo. The interviews with the teachers of the aforementioned school and the revision of the design regulations defined the needs. Six alternative concepts were generated for the structure and the extruder of the printer evaluated by a weighted matrix to find the optimal concept. Then the design of the machine was applied to the winner. Then, we proceed to the parametric design in two stages: the first by a simulation MEF (Finite Element Method) in ANSYSWORKBENCH, static and dynamic, which parameterized the material of the guide axes to get results from Von Misses (σ'), safety factors (FS), deformations (δmax) and cycles for failure; and the second using GUI-MATLAB toobtain an optimal printing speed by varying the cost of electric power and engine power. The suitable printing ranges were: Length 200-300 mm, width 200-250

mm, height 150-200 mm. The structure with reinforcemenskate and configuration with optimal results. The static analysis MEF-ANSYS favored RexRoth anodize aluminum 20x20mm with a σ′= 24.858 MPa, Fsmin=10.057 and y δmax = 0.0516 mm. In fatigue according tGoodman, infinite life was obtained (106 cycles for failure) for the guide axes. The optimal range of printinspeeds according to the GUI was 70-80 mm / s. The total value of the equipment, the period of return oinvestment, the Net Real Value (NPV) and the internal rate of Return (IRR) turned out to be 3000, 3.06%, S.61695.91 and 16%, respectively. The auxiliary parameterization for the engineering software turned out to ban excellent aid for the decision making when analyzing the critical components. The rigorous follow-up of design methodology ensured a very healthy sequence for the total design process. The machine showpromising economic indices for its execution.