About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium (SFF Symp 2026)
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| Symposium
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2026 Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium (SFF Symp 2026)
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| Presentation Title |
Experimental Assessment of Geometrical Quality in Fused Filament Fabrication Using an In-Process Annealing System |
| Author(s) |
Rakin Ahmed, Tanvir Ahmed Shanto, Md Mahmudur Rahman, Sakib Ahmed, Israt Sharmin Dola, Sarah Binte Hossen, Jasraj Singh, Robert M Taylor |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Rakin Ahmed |
| Abstract Scope |
Thin-walled stiffened structures fabricated using Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) are highly susceptible to geometrical distortion due to thermal gradients, residual stresses, and non-uniform cooling behavior associated with deposition paths and thin-walled geometries. While auxiliary heating or in-process annealing approaches have previously demonstrated improvements in interlayer bonding and mechanical performance of FFF components, limited research has explored their influence on geometrical accuracy and dimensional stability in complex stiffened structures. This study experimentally investigates the effect of a patented annealing-enabled printhead on the dimensional accuracy of thin-walled stiffened cylinders. Specimens were fabricated using both conventional and in-process annealing-enabled printheads while systematically varying print speed and seam alignment strategy (random and sharp corner) to alter the thermal history during deposition. High-resolution FARO arm scanning was employed to quantify dimensional deviations of the cylindrical shell and stiffeners, while in-situ thermal data were recorded throughout fabrication to characterize localized thermal exposure. Preliminary results indicate that annealed specimens fabricated at higher print speeds exhibit greater dimensional deviation compared to their conventional printhead counterparts, likely due to excessive localized heat accumulation and insufficient cooling time. However, as the print speed was substantially reduced, the annealed specimens demonstrated improved geometrical fidelity and enhanced surface finish quality. These findings provide insight into the relationship between localized thermal exposure, deposition conditions, and dimensional stability, supporting the development of improved thermally assisted fabrication strategies for lightweight thin-walled stiffened FFF structures. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |