Hardness and Surface Roughness of 3D-Printed ASA Components Subjected to Acetone Vapor Treatment and Different Production Variables: A Multi-Estimation Work via Machine Learning and Deep Learning

This paper analyzes the combined effects of acetone vapor treatment and 3D printing process parameters (layer thickness and infill rate) on the hardness and surface roughness of acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) components by using different machine learning and deep learning strategies for the first time in the technical literature. Considering the high-performance materials and aesthetic requirements of manufacturers, post-processing operations are highly critical for 3D-printed samples. ASA is a promising alternative, especially for the structural parts utilized in outdoor conditions like car outer components, electronic part housing, extreme sports equipment, and construction materials. However, it has to sustain hardness features against outer scratching, peeling, and indentations without losing its gloss. Together with the rising competitiveness in the search for a high-performance design with a perfect outer view, the combination of additive manufacturing and machine learning methods was implemented to enhance the hardness and surface quality properties for the first time in the literature. Concordantly, in this study, four different vaporizing durations (15, 45, 90, and 120 min.), three different layer thicknesses (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mm), and three different infill rates (25, 50, and 100%) were determined. According to both experimental and multi-way learning approaches, the results show that the support vector regressor (SVR) combined with one-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1D-CNNs) was the best approach for predictions. Gradient boosting (GB) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs) may also be preferable for low-error forecasting. Moreover, although there was a positive relationship between the layer thickness/infill rate and Shore D hardness outcomes, the highest levels were obtained at 45 min of vaporizing.