Optimization of fused deposition modelling printing parameters using hybrid GA-fuzzy evolutionary algorithm

Abstract

The present study investigates the compressive strength performance of polylactic acid (PLA) polymer material parts printed using the Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) three-dimensional (3D) printing process, with a particular emphasis on various machine input parameters. The face centred central composite design matrix approach was employed for experimental modelling, which was subsequently utilised as a knowledge base for the fuzzy algorithm. A hybrid evolutionary algorithm, i.e., Genetic-Algorithm (GA) assisted with Fuzzy Logic Methodology (FLM), was used to optimize input process parameters and compressive strength of FDM technique fabricated polymer material parts. The study concluded that the maximum compressive strength observed with GA integrated FLM was 49.7303 MPa at input factors (layer thickness-0.16 mm, temperature 208°C, infill-pattern-Honeycomb, infill-density-60% and speed/extrusion velocity-41 mm/s) which is higher than the experimental (47.08 MPa) and fuzzy predicted (47.101 MPa) value. This evolutionary hybrid soft computing methodology has optimized the compressive strength of PLA polymer material parts at optimum parameters combination set.