Energy Consumption Prediction for Fused Deposition Modelling 3D Printing Using Machine Learning

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are growing more and more in the manufacturing industry;the increase in world energy consumption encourages the quantification and optimization of energy use in additive manufacturing processes. Orientation of the part to be printed is very important for reducing energy consumption. Our work focuses on defining the most appropriate direction for minimizing energy consumption. In this paper, twelve machine learning (ML) algorithms are applied to model energy consumption in the fused deposition modelling (FDM) process using a database of the FDM 3D printing of isovolumetric mechanical components. The adequate predicted model was selected using four performance criteria: mean absolute error (MAE), root mean squared error (RMSE), R-squared (R2), and explained variance score (EVS). It was clearly seen that the Gaussian process regressor (GPR) model estimates the energy consumption in FDM process with high accuracy: R2 > 99%, EVS > 99%, MAE < 3.89, and RMSE < 5.8.

Investigation of the Biocidal Performance of Multi-Functional Resin/Copper Nanocomposites with Superior Mechanical Response in SLA 3D Printing.

Metals, such as silver, gold, and copper are known for their biocidal properties, mimicking the host defense peptides (HDPs) of the immune system. Developing materials with such properties has great importance in medicine, especially when combined with 3D printing technology, which is an additional asset for various applications. In this work, copper nanoparticles were used as filler in stereolithography (SLA) ultraviolet (UV) cured commercial resin to induce such biocidal properties in the material. The nanocomposites developed featured enhanced mechanical responses when compared with the neat material. The prepared nanocomposites were employed to manufacture specimens with the SLA process, to be tested for their mechanical response according to international standards. The process followed was evaluated with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The antibacterial activity of the fabricated nanocomposites was evaluated using the agar-well diffusion method. Results showed enhanced mechanical performance of approximately 33.7% in the tensile tests for the nanocomposites filled with 1.0 wt.%. ratios, when compared to the neat matrix material, while this loading showed sufficient antibacterial performance when compared to lower filler loadings, providing an added value for the fabrication of effective nanocomposites in medical applications with the SLA process.

COVID-19: Current challenges regarding medical healthcare supplies and their implications on the global additive manufacturing industry.

The covid-19 outbreak has caused a shortage of masks and other healthcare products for the general public around the globe. In addition, it has also affected the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) used by healthcare services because of a sudden increase in their demand. This significant disruption in the global supply chain of these products resulted in, leaving many staff and patients without protection. The additive manufacturing (AM) industry is going through extraordinary times and can provide emergency responses to help deal with the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of the present work is therefore to perform an up-to-date review to determine the capacity of AM to provide exclusive benefits for the medical healthcare supplies sector to fight this current situation. In this review, it is found that AM technology has proved that it can be used as a volume manufacturing technology for the ongoing crisis. However, the standardization and certification are appeared to represent the main challenges for adopting the AM in healthcare against COVID-19. Furthermore, additively manufactured materials for medical applications must be developed for medical environments. Most printed medical products for COVID-19 require biocompatibility evaluation and shall prove their ability to sterilize. Finally, this review concluded that AM technology can fulfill the requirements of face masks and ventilator parts for healthcare systems for proper controlling and treating of COVID-19 patients when the safety and efficacy of these devices are ensured.