Industrial Robot-Integrated Fused Deposition Modelling for the 3D Printing Process

Abstract

In this chapter, six axis robots-integrated fused deposition modelling (FDM) processes have been used to fabricate the polymer three-dimensional (3D) printing objects. A unique method of printing 3D things uses an industrial robot with an FDM extruder as its end-effector. This robot is controlled by sophisticated controller technology and Robot Ware control software. The robot's end effector will travel along the designed toolpath as it is modelled by Robot Studio software. Printing a cube serves as a demonstration of the methods used to combine the FDM process with a six-axis industrial robot. This demonstrates how components can be produced using additive manufacturing and robotics. By applying different process parameters of the innovative system, the tensile and flexural strengths of printed specimens have been optimised using the Taguchi method.