Study of compression properties of topologically optimized FDM made structured parts

Most rapid prototyping (RP) additive techniques are expensive and suffer from a lack of efficiency when massive products are to be manufactured. The authors propose to reduce the density of rapid prototyped parts, finding alternative building styles. Topologically optimized parts have been created with internal geometry, using a narrow-waisted structure that avoids the need for building supports. In order to characterise and study the behaviour of the obtained low density parts, an experimental plan has been designed and executed. The approach has been tested using a fused deposition modelling (FDM) machine, but it is of a general nature and can be applied to other layered manufacturing (LM) technologies that use supports, dealing with slow building of massive parts.