Project Team
Students
Felix Seeler
Mechanical Engineering
Penn State Lehigh Valley
Faculty Mentors
Tracey Carbonetto
Penn State Lehigh Valley
Engineering
Juan Pablo Gevaudan Burgos
Penn State University Park
Architectural Engineering
Project
Project Video
Project Abstract
This project explored the feasibility for a small lab to 3D print a helical geometry for a rotational rheometer. Currently, labs must obtain rheometer geometries from manufacturers, which increases costs and lead to delays in schedule while awaiting shipping. The ability to 3D print a specific geometry via readily available printers (such as those sold for the consumer market and not for industry) would drastically reduce both cost and time to acquire such parts. While research used 3D printed geometries to collect data exists, the surveyed studies made their geometries through more sophisticated printers. This project attempted to create a helical geometry through fuse filament fabrication (FFF) on printers and with filaments which Penn State students may access without significant clearance.
After editing the design of an existing Solidworks file, this study found that the available printers produced geometries that were lopsided and sometimes frayed in narrow areas, resulting in pieces breaking off. Additionally, the printers’ inability to create threading prevented the geometry from holding onto the nut which connected it to the rheometer. The participants concluded that labs using currently available consumer grade FFF printers will face significant difficulty when producing the helix geometry or parts of similar complexity and size due to their inaccuracy printing sizes smaller than 0.1 mm.
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