Investigation of selected parameters effect on 3D printed sand mold properties through Taguchi method

Purpose: The major concern technologies during the processing through three-dimensional printing (3DP) are the mechanical and boundary properties of sand models. The parameters such as activator content, resolution X, layer thickness and re-coater speed play a vital role in 3DP sand components. The purpose of this paper is to recommend the optimal process parameters for the best sand mold properties. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper, taking the parameters of the activator content, resolution X, layer thickness and re-coater speed as the influence factors, an orthogonal test of L16(44) was designed to discuss the influences of those parameters on the mechanical and boundary properties. Three-point bending (3PB) test was used to characterize the actual bending strength, and the boundary accuracy was assessed by the deviation of the three-point bending samples compared with its design scale. Findings: The experimental results showed that the resolution X and layer thickness are the main parameters affecting sand mold properties. The strength will attain its maximum when the resolution X and layer thickness are the minimum. The optimal parameters were screened and verified by the confirmation test. The optimal process parameters for best strength and less gas evolution are the activator of 0.19%, resolution X of 0.1 mm, layer thickness of 0.28 mm and re-coater speed of 210 mm/s. Originality/value: The novelty of this paper is the select of significant parameters on 3D-printed sand model properties. A mathematical model was built to analyze the effect of these parameters. The optimal process parameters for the best properties were got.