Investigation of Dual Filament Printing in Fused Deposition Modelling

This research presents the capability of dual filament printing in Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM). The purpose of this research was to study the different printing parameters to enhance the mechanical properties of an ABS and PLA dual filament alternating printed specimen. So, different material arrangements (base layer of either PLA or ABS) and different raster angles (0º/90ºor 45º/-45º) influencing the mechanical properties of the ABS and PLA dual filament printing specimens were investigated. Tensile tests were performed on the specimens using a tensile strength test machine to determine properties such as stress-strain relation, Young's modulus, and tensile strength. The results of dual-filament printed specimens were compared to the results of single-filament printed specimens (control) to observe the enhancement of the properties. It was expected that specimens with PLA as the base layer and raster angles of 45º/-45ºwould have improved mechanical properties compared to the control ABS specimens due to the material arrangement of ABS and PLA and the raster angle combination.