A Systematic Analysis of the Multi-Material FFF 3D Printing Process for Biodegradable Polymers

Abstract Multi-material additive manufacturing is an interesting approach for obtaining complex parts with a variety of qualities and functions. Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is one of the most widely used methods for 3D printing with polymers. In multi-material FFF, materials with different properties can be combined; however, good adhesion depends on how the materials interact with each other. Therefore, it is preferable to choose chemically compatible materials with similar properties for reliable printing. Creating functional parts with improved properties requires an understanding of all the factors involved in the multi-material 3D printing process. Performing a systematic analysis and creating an Ishikawa diagram is useful because these tools can optimize the production process. The quality of multi-material parts depends on carefully selecting printing parameters, ensuring material compatibility, choosing an appropriate interface geometry, and controlling the thermal process.