Evaluating the relationship between print speed and acoustic performance in additively manufactured parts

Additive manufacturing (AM) is often used as a form of rapid prototyping, allowing for quick fabrication of structures for a variety of applications. Most AM processes, however, are known to have poor dimensional tolerancing when compared to manufacturing methods such as molding or machining. In order to understand to what extent an AM process really is rapid, it is desirable to understand how the speed of the fabrication process correlates to the desired performance of the final structure. This study examines how additive manufacturing parameters, including print speed, layer height, and acceleration, affect the acoustic properties of microperforated 3-D printed absorbers. Systematic variations in print conditions produced significant changes in hole geometry fidelity, such as eccentricity and area, which directly influenced the panels’ sound absorption characteristics. Acoustic testing was conducted in an air-acoustic impedance tube in accordance with ASTM E2611 standards. When combined with simplified predictive models, these tests revealed shifts in resonance frequencies and absorption coefficients. Although faster print settings reduced fabrication time by over 80%, geometric precision and acoustic performance were often compromised. Potential solutions include adjusting geometries or refining printing strategies to maintain desirable acoustic properties while increasing throughput.