Impact of 3D Printing Settings on Polylactic Acid Filament Mechanical Behaviors Based on the Taguchi Method

Introduction: 3D printing has become an activity changer in some sectors allowing the creation of personalized parts. With its growing popularity in areas needing mechanical capabilities, it is essential to grasp how the printing settings impact the mechanical traits of the printed pieces. Methods: This paper presents a novel investigation into the impact of critical 3D printing parameters on the mechanical characteristics of polylactic acid (PLA), a widely used biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. Our experimental approach systematically evaluated the effects of various printing parameters including infill density, raster orientation, outline overlap, and print speed on the printed parts' tensile strength and Young's modulus. This could prepare the way for future patent applications in 3D printing optimization. Results: The results consistently showed that increasing the infill density and outline overlap improved tensile strength and Young's modulus. However, higher print speeds decreased both underscoring the practical application of our unique findings. This research is a pioneering effort providing engineers and designers with valuable direction for working with 3D-printed PLA parts in aerospace, automotive, and biomedical applications. Conclusion: It significantly adds to the expanding corpus of research on the connection between 3D printing process variables and the mechanical characteristics of advanced polymeric materials.