Vibration Analysis of Cantilever Beam with Free End Resting on 3D-Printed Spring and Considering the Effect of Accelerometer and Exciter Masses

A cantilever beam is a mechanical structure fixed at one end and free at the other. It converts the applied external forces into bending and shear force; therefore, it should be designed to resist deflection. The fundamental natural frequency of the cantilever beam depends on its material properties, geometry, and supporting conditions. This work studied the effect of adding an accelerometer and a motor, which represent multiple masses, on the fundamental natural frequency of a cantilever beam. The beam is also supported by a 3D-printed spring at its free end. Three-dimensional-printed springs with different infill percentages (20%, 50%, 80%, and 100%) were used with different infill patterns (concentric, grid, and triangle) to study the effect of these parameters on natural frequency. The results showed that the triangle pattern gives the best results for fundamental natural frequency and resulting force values. In addition to that, the triangle pattern with 80% infill percentage is preferred for printing as compared with 100% infill percentage because it gives better vibration results.