Sustainable Furniture Joints: Leveraging Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) for Eco-Friendly Design

Integrating form, function, and material selection has been fundamental in furniture design and production. Traditional methods, particularly in joint creation, demand skilled craftsmanship and time-intensive processes. However, the emergence of 3D printing technology, specifically fused deposition modeling (FDM), has revolutionized furniture joint production. This study investigates the sustainable application of FDM for creating furniture joints, emphasizing eco- friendly design and efficient material utilization. To optimize the joinery system using 3D printing, researchers have conducted structured interviews with experts in the Malaysian 3D printing field. Their insights guided the development of guidelines for selecting appropriate materials and optimizing joint geometries. In furniture manufacturing, FDM enables precise joint components through layer-by- layer construction using thermoplastic materials. Unlike traditional methods that often result in wood waste, FDM minimizes material consumption. Designer- generated joint designs produced seamlessly via 3D printing reduce production time and enhance precision. Cost-effectiveness further positions FDM as a sustainable alternative for furniture production. This research focuses on two commonly used FDM materials: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Polylactic Acid (PLA). By providing guidelines for selecting appropriate materials, it will eventually empower designers and manufacturers to create furniture joints that align with sustainability goals. The resulting joints exhibit superior accuracy compared to manual craftsmanship, contributing to both environmental conservation and innovation within the Malaysian furniture industry