Reinforcement of 3D Printed Part

The use of 3D printing for rapid tooling and manufacturing has promised to produce components with complex geometries according to computer designs. Due to the limited mechanical properties and functionalities of printed pure polymer parts, there is a critical need to develop technique for increasing mechanical strength of 3D printed parts. In this study, we present a technique for increasing the strength of thermoplastic fused deposition manufactured printed parts while retaining the benefits of the process such as ease, speed of implementation, and complex part geometries. By carefully placing voids in the printed parts and filling them with high-strength resins and fiber composites, we can improve the overall part hardness by keeping the appropriate infill pattern and pressure withstanding strength respectively. We discuss the process parameters necessary to use this strengthening technique. Then the study shows hardness testing and theoretical pressure data comparing solid printed PLA samples with those strengthened through the fill compositing process. The theoretical values were compared after proper mathematical calculations.