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Additive Manufacturing provides opportunity to create complex geometries, overhanging sections and
intricate hallow surfaces which are not possible or too difficult to manufacture by subtracting methods.
Support structures are essential to build these complex geometries which cannot withstand the gravity
during layer-by-layer manufacturing processes. After finishing building process, the support structures
have to be removed from the part. However, removing these support structures is time consuming
process and may decrease surface quality of the products. Water soluble polymer support materials are
promising solution for decreasing support removing process time and increasing surface quality. In
this study it is aimed to define optimal process parameters for generating water soluble support
structures by dual extruder. Polylactic Acid (PLA) was used as part and support material while
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) was used as water soluble support material. PLA-PVA hybrid structure was
built by Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) system with dual extruder. Different process
temperatures; 185-230°C and XY spacing; 0.2-08 mm, between support and object were tried for
obtaining support structures which maintains its strength throughout the process and then be removed
away easily. PLA supports were cleaned mechanically while PVA were solved in deionized water.
The results were compared in terms surface quality of the samples. It can be reported that water
soluble polymer usage increased surface quality of the samples.
International Congress on 3D Printing (Additive Manufacturing) Technologies and Digital Industry
3D-PTC2019
Binnur Sağbaş
Tumay DİCLE
Birol ÖZÇEVİK
Mehmet Can ÇATAL