Date of Award
2016
Document Type
Open Access Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MS)
Administrative Home Department
Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Advisor 1
Joshua Pearce
Advisor 2
John Gershenson
Committee Member 1
John Irwin
Abstract
Fused filament fabrication (FFF)-based open-source 3-D printers offer the potential of decentralized manufacturing both in developing and developed countries. Unfortunately, a severe lack of data and standards relating to material properties and printed components limit this potential. This thesis first investigates the mechanical properties of a wide-range of FFF materials and provides a database of mechanical strength of the materials tested. The results demonstrate that the tensile strength of a 3-D printed specimen depends largely on the mass of the specimen, which provides a means to estimate the strength of 3-D printed components. Then this information is used to evaluate a bicycled pedal, which was 3-D printed and tested following the CEN (European Committee for Standardization) standards for racing bicycles. The results show the pedals meet the CEN standards and can be used on bicycles at lower costs than standard pedals. This investigation indicates the viability of distributed manufacturing.
Recommended Citation
Tanikella, Nagendra Gautam, "MECHANICAL TESTING OF FUSED FILAMENT 3-D PRINTED COMPONENTS FOR DISTRIBUTED MANUFACTURING", Open Access Master's Thesis, Michigan Technological University, 2016.
Included in
Manufacturing Commons, Other Materials Science and Engineering Commons, Polymer and Organic Materials Commons