Optimization of FDM 3D Printer Process Parameters to Minimize Dimensional Errors with PLA Material Using Response Surface Methodology

This paper presents a response surface methodology to fit a second-order response surface model aimed to finding process parameters to minimize length error (LE) and diameter error of the cylindrical shafts (DE) in fused deposition modeling (FDM) using polylactic acid (PLA) material. The process parameters in this study included layer height (LH), which varied from 0.1 to 0.4 mm, and print speed (PS), which ranged from 20 to 60 mm/s, while other parameters were set to constant values. The results showed that optimal process parameters obtained in this study significantly lower dimensional errors than the initial parameterization recommended by UltiMaker Cura software.