Finite Element Analysis of Parts Fabricated by FDM

The high degree of automation of layered manufacturing process and its ability to create geometrically complex parts to precise dimensions provide it with a unique potential for low volume production of rapid tooling and functional components. As the rapid prototyping going towards rapid manufacturing in recent days, strength becomes the main factor which affected by many process parameters. In this study, stress analysis has been done on FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) parts mesostructure by finite element method. In this Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models were designed with different mesostructural process parameters like road width, air gap and slice thickness, on this a linear orthotropic analysis was done to know the effect of each parameter on stress distribution. FEA results were compared with experimental yield strength results and they have better agreement with experimental results in knowing the effect of each parameter on strength.