Design Improvement On Support System For Resin Based 3D Printer.

UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
DESIGN IMPROVEMENT ON SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR RESIN
BASED 3D PRINTER
This report submitted accordance with requirement of the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia
Melaka (UTeM) for the Bachelor Degree of Manufacturing Engineering (Manufacturing
Design) with Honours.

by

CHE ROZAIDA BT CHE MOD

FACULTY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
MAY 2009

UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS LAPORAN PROJEK SARJANA MUDA
JUDUL: Design Improvement on Support System for Resin Based 3D Printer
SESI PENGAJIAN: 2008/2009 Semester 2
Saya : CHE ROZAIDA BT CHE MOD
mengaku membenarkan laporan PSM ini disimpan di Perpustakaan Universiti
Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan seperti berikut:

1. Laporan PSM adalah hak milik Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka dan penulis.
2. Perpustakaan Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka dibenarkan membuat salinan
untuk tujuan pengajian sahaja dengan izin penulis.
3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan laporan PSM ini sebagai bahan
pertukaran antara institusi pengajian tinggi.
**Sila tandakan (√)

SULIT
TERHAD

(Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan
atau kepentingan Malaysia yang termaktub di dalam
AKTA RAHSIA RASMI 1972)
(Mengandungi maklumat TERHAD yang telah ditentukan
oleh organisasi/badan di mana penyelidikan dijalankan)

TIDAK TERHAD
Disahkan oleh:

(TANDATANGAN PENULIS)


(TANDATANGAN PENYELIA)

Alamat Tetap:
Lot.501, Kg. Cherang Melintang,
16210 Tumpat,
Kelantan.

Cop Rasmi:

Tarikh: _______________________

Tarikh: _______________________

** Jika Laporan PSM ini SULIT atau TERHAD, sila lampirkan surat daripada pihak berkuasa/organisasi berkenaan dengan
menyatakan sekali sebab dan tempoh Laporan PSM ini perlu dikelaskan sebagai SULIT atau TERHAD.

ABSTRACT

Stereolitography is one of the rapid prototyping systems that can produce a part with

high accuracy and good surface finish. Stereolitography is a three-dimensional building
process and can produce a solid plastic model. The device that is called Stereolitography
Apparatus (SLA) is used to produce the part using stereolitography system.
Nevertheless, SLA has its own disadvantages. This apparatus needs support structures.
Other than that, there is a problem occurred on the support system. This project
presented the research on the support system for resin based 3D printer and E-Darts
machine is used for this purpose. Overall system for this machine understands first
including support system. Then, the specimen is design using CAD software and
produces it using E-Darts machine while the ultraviolet (UV) laser traces twodimensional cross-sections on the surface of a liquid resin(photosensitive liquid plastic) .
Problem occurred on the support system can be examined. Suggestion for designs
improvement can be create. The better design is chosen to make an improvement. Thus,
the problem occurred on the support system can be reduce.

ABSTRAK

Streolitografi merupakan salah satu sistem rapid prototyping yang boleh menghasilkan
sesuatu bahagian (objek) dengan ketepatan yang tinggi dan permukaan yang baik.
Stereolitografi merupakan proses pembentukan tiga dimensi dan dapat menghasilkan
model pepejal plastik. Peralatan yang dikenali sebagai Aparatus Stereolitografi (SLA)
digunakan untuk menghasilkan sesuatu bahagian (objek) meggunakan sistem

stereolitografi. Walaubagaimanapun, Aparatus Stereolitografi (SLA) mempunyai
keburukan yang tersendiri. Apparatus ini memerlukan struktur sokongan. Selain
daripada itu, terdapat juga masalah yang berlaku pada sistem sokongan. Projek ini
dijalankan untuk menunjukkan kajian terhadap sistem sokongan bagi pencetak resin tiga
dimensi dan mesin E-Darts digunakan bagi tujuan ini. Keseluruhan sistem bagi mesin
ini difahamkan terlebih dahulu termasuklah sistem sokongan. Kemudian, spesimen
direka bentuk menggunakan software Reka bentuk Terbantu Komputer (CAD) dan
seterusnya dihasilkan menggunakan mesin E-Darts di mana laser ultra-ungu mengesan
keratan rentas pada permukaan cecair resin (cecair plastik fotosensitif). Masalah yang
berlaku pada sistem sokongan dapat dikaji. Cadangan bagi pembaikan rekabentuk sistem
sokongan dapat diberikan. Reka bentuk yang terbaik akan dipilih untuk dibuat
pembaikan. Dengan itu, masalah yang berlaku pada sistem sokongan dapat dikurangkan.

DEDICATION

To my beloved family.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, I would like to express special appreciation to my supervisor, En Wahyono
Sapto Widodo for his great patience guiding me, give an advice, opinion, help and also

support me in the process to finish this project. Thank you so much for your good
support, various suggestion and comments.
I also would like to express gratitude to Puan Ruzy Haryati Bt Hambali as my supervisor
for PSM 1 with her guidance start from the title selection.
Then, I want to express my special appreciation to my parent, brother and sisters for
their encouragement and support during doing this project. Also to En. Mohd Fairus B.
Ninggal, thanks for your advice and suggestion. Finally, thank you to all of the lectures
and staff of Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering UTeM that give me full cooperation
to carry out this project.

TABLE OF CONTENT
Abstract

i

Abstrak

ii

Dedication


iii

Acknowledgement

iv

Table of Contents

v

List of Tables

ix

List of Figures

x

List of Abbreviations


xiv

1. INTRODUCTION

1

1.1 Background

1

1.2 Problem Statement

2

1.3 Objective

3

1.4 Scope


3

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

4

2.1 Rapid Prototyping

4

2.1.1 What is the Rapid Prototyping?

4

2.1.2 Classification of the Rapid Prototyping Processes

5

2.1.3 Characteristic of Additive Rapid-Prototyping


7

2.2 Liquid-Base Rapid Prototyping System

9

2.2.1 Additive Processes

9

2.3 Stereolitography

10

2.3.1 Process of Stereolitography

10

2.3.2 Principle of SLA


12

2.3.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of SLA

13

2.4 Photopolymers

13

2.4.1 Photopolymerization

14

2.5 Supports System

16

2.5.1 Supports


16

2.5.2 Support System for Stereolitography

18

2.6 Support System for another Rapid Prototyping System

20

2.6.2 Support System for Fused Deposition Modeling System

24

3. METHODOLOGY

25

3.1 Flow Chart

25

3.2 Details of Methodology

29

3.2.1 Get the Title for PSM

29

3.2.2 Understand About the Title

29

3.2.3 Identify Requirement of the Title

29

3.2.4 Search the Information about Rapid Prototyping, Types and Process

29

3.2.5 Search Journals about Support Structure for Resin Based 3D Printer

29

3.2.6 Review the Journals

29

3.2.7 Gather the Information

30

3.2.8 Design the Specimen Using Software

30

3.2.9 Produce the Specimen Using Resin Based 3D Printer

30

3.2.10 Study the Support Structure

30

3.2.11 Investigate the Problem Occurred On Support System

30

3.2.12 Suggestion Improvement for the Support System

30

3.2.13 Validation

30

3.2.14 Design Improvement

30

3.2.15 Documentation for Final Project

31

4. PROJECT DESIGN

32

4.0 Project Background

32

4.1 Details of the Project

33

4.1.1 Apparatus

34

4.1.2 Components inside E-Darts Printer

35

4.1.3 Materials

36

4.1.4 Procedures

37

4.1.4.1 Stage 1: Design the Specimen

37

4.1.4.2 Stage 2: Preparation for the Construction

38

4.1.4.3 Stage 3: Setting for the Construction Conditions

41

4.1.4.4 Stage 4: Construction

43

4.1.4.5 Stage 5: Study the Support Structure

47

4.1.4.6 Stage 6: Design an Improvement for the Support Structure

48

4.1.4.7 Stage 7: Produce the Prototype

60

4.1.4.8 Stage 8: Analyze the Design

64

5. RESULT

65

5.1 Designs with Screw

66

5.2 New Design with Screw

67

5.3 Prototype Produce by Using FDM Machine

68

5.4 Construction Base Holder and Support Base after Hole Making

69

5.5 Result from the Design Analysis Using CosmosXpress

70

5.5.1 Analysis for the Construction Base Holder

70

5.5.2 Analysis for the Support Base

74

5.5.3 Analysis for the Screw

78

6. DISCUSSION

82

6.1 Current Design

83

6.2 New Design (After Improvement)

85

6.3 Result Obtained from Stress Analysis Using CosmosXpress

88

7. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

89

7.1 Conclusion

89

7.2 Recommendation

90

REFERENCES

91

APPENDICES
A Gantt chart for PSM 1
B Gantt chart for PSM 2
C Design with Screw (1) Before Improvement
D Design with Screw (2) After Improvement
E Design with Clip
F Design with Glue Gun
G Current Design

LIST OF TABLES
2.1: Characteristic of Additive Rapid-Prototyping Technologies
A 1 Gantt chart for PSM 1
A 2 Gantt chart for PSM 2

7

LIST OF FIGURES
2.1

The Computational Steps in Producing a Stereolitography File

5

2.2

Schematic Illustration of the Stereolitography Process

11

2.3

The Principle of Stereolitography

11

2.4

Schematic Diagram of the Stereolitography (SLA) System

12

2.5

Schematic for A Simplified Free-Radical Photopolymerization

15

2.6

Transformation of Solid Model to Hatched Base Support

18

2.7

Support for Stereolitography System

19

2.8

E-Darts Process

20

2.9

Regions to Be Supported

22

2.10

Example of Self-Supporting Region

22

2.11

Region That Cannot Be Supported By Adjacent Sheet

23

2.12

Deflection of Sheet

24

2.13

Fused Deposition Modelling

24

3.1

Flow Charts for PSM

26

4.1

Computer

34

4.2

E-Darts Printer

34

4.3

Support Base (large size)

34

4.4

Support Base (small size)

34

4.5

Leveler

34

4.6

Syringe

34

4.7

Weighing Scale

35

4.8

Gloves

35

4.9

Inside E-Darts Printer

35

4.10

Support Base

35

4.11

Construction Base Holder

36

4.12

Side View of Construction Base Holder and Support Base

36

4.13

Liquid Resin Bath

36

4.14

Resin (KAYARD NAF-20)

36

4.15

Hardener

36

4.16

Specimen Design

37

4.17

Preparation for Construction

38

4.18

Preparation for Construction

38

4.19

Preparation for Construction

39

4.20

Preparation for Construction

39

4.21

Preparation for Construction

39

4.22

Preparation for Construction

40

4.23

Construction Base Holder and Construction Base

40

4.24

Windows E-Darts Controller

41

4.25

Parameter List Window

43

4.26

Start Support Construction

44

4.27

X, Y and Z Control Panel

45

4.28

Special Parameter Dialog Box

46

4.29

Holder Base and Resin Bath Condition

47

4.30

Support Base and Construction Base Holder

47

4.31

Current Design

48

4.32

Exploded View Drawing

49

4.33

Construction Base Holder Part

49

4.34

Construction Base Part

50

4.35

Support Base Part

50

4.36

Screw

51

4.37

Design with Screw

52

4.38

Exploded View

52

4.39

Exploded View Drawing

53

4.40

Design with Screw

54

4.41

Exploded View

54

4.42

Clip

55

4.43

Design with Clip

55

4.44

Exploded View

56

4.45

Exploded View Drawing

56

4.46

Glue Gun

57

4.47

Design with Glue Gun

58

4.48

Exploded View

58

4.49

Exploded View Drawing

59

4.50

FDM Machine (FDM 400mc)

60

4.51

Dimension for the Construction Base Holder Part

61

4.52

Drawing for the Construction Base Part

62

4.53

Material for New Support Base (acrylic)

63

4.54

Jigsaw

63

4.55

File

63

4.56

Hand Drill with Tool Size 2.5mm

63

4.57

Tap Wrench

64

4.58

Center Punch

64

5.1

Assemble Drawing for Design with Screw

66

5.2

Exploded View

67

5.3

Holder Part

68

5.4

Base Part

68

5.5

Construction Base Holder and Construction Base Part

68

5.6

Construction Base Holder

68

5.7

Support Base with New Size

69

5.8

New Design

69

5.9

Stress Result for Construction Base Holder

71

5.10

Deformation Result for Construction Base Holder

72

5.11

Design Check Result for Construction Base Holder

73

5.12

Stress Result for Support Base

75

5.13

Deformation Result for Support Base

76

5.14

Design Check Result for Support Base

77

5.15

Stress Result for Screw

79

5.16

Deformation Result

80

5.17

Design Check Result for Screw

81

6.1

Current Design

82

6.2

New Design

82

6.3

Construction Base with Constructions Base Holder

83

6.4

Support Base

83

6.5

Current Design

83

6.6

Construction Base Holder

85

6.7

Support Base

85

6.8

Screw (M3 x 8)

85

6.9

New Design

85

6.10

Current Size for Support Base

87

6.11

New Size for Support Base with Hole

87

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
ABS – Acrylo-nitrile Butadiene Styrene
CAD – Computer Aided Design
CPU – Central Processing Unit
DSPC - Direct Shell Production Casting
EB - Electron-Beam
FDM - Fused Deposition Modeling
PCA - Post-Cure Apparatus
RP – Rapid Prototyping
RP & M – Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing
SLA - Stereolithography
SLS - Selective Laser Sintering
UV – Ultra-Violet
2D – Two Dimensional
3D – Three Dimensional

i

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this project is to make a design improvement on support system for resin
based 3D printer. The basic concept of rapid prototyping must be understand first. Then,
support system for resin based 3D printer was studied. By using 3D printer, 3D object
can be created by layering a material (plaster, cornstarch, resins) and it consist of an
inkjet layering printing system. 3D object can be created with a short time compared to
the other method. To examine the problem on support system, the main cause was
investigated and step to avoid this problem from occurred again will be done by doing a
design improvement on the machine. Some improvement on the support system for resin
based 3D machine is needed to make sure that this machine can perform it task with
efficient and perfectly. By doing this research this problem can be solved.

1.1 Background
Rapid prototyping (RP) is a terms which embraces a range of new technologies for
producing accurate parts directly from CAD models in a few hours, with little need for
human (Pham, D.T. and Gault, R.S. (1998)). This means that designers have the freedom
to produce physical models of their drawings more frequently, allowing them to check
the assembly and function of the design. RP technologies may be divided into the
addition material and removal material. The most popular among currently available RP
technologies is perhaps stereolitography.

1

Stereolithography is an additive fabrication process utilizing a vat of liquid UV-curable
photopolymer "resin" and a UV laser to build parts a layer at a time ( Kalpakjian,S. and
Schmid, S. (2000)). On each layer, the laser beam traces a part cross-section pattern on
the surface of the liquid resin. Exposure to the UV laser light cures, or, solidifies the
pattern traced on the resin and adheres it to the layer below. Stereolithography requires
the use of support structures to attach the part to the elevator platform and to prevent
certain geometry from not only deflecting due to gravity, but to also accurately hold the
2-D cross sections in place such that they resist lateral pressure from the re-coater blade.
Supports are generated automatically during the preparation of 3-D CAD models for use
on the stereolithography machine, although they may be manipulated manually.
Supports must be removed from the finished product manually; this is not true for all
rapid prototyping technologies.

1.2 Problem Statement
Rapid prototyping is a most popular method to produce a product with a short time, low
cost and easy to use. There are many types of rapid prototyping system for example
stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), fused deposition modeling
(FDM), direct shell production casting (DSPC), 3D printers and direct fabrication
processes. Stereolitography is a type of rapid prototyping system. This is a method and
apparatus to produce solid objects by successively "printing" thin layers of the curable
material and inkjet printing system will be used. The apparatus that is used to produce a
part using this system is E-Darts machine. This machine not always can be function
perfectly and requires support structures. Structures that have overhangs and undercuts
must have supports that are designed and fabricated together with the main structure.
The problem may be occurred on this machine for example on the support system. This
project will be performing to examine the problem and design an improvement for this
support system.

2

1.3 Objective
Objective of this project are:
a) To understand the basic concept for rapid prototyping system.
b) To understand about the operation of resin based 3D printer
c) To examine the problem occurred on the support system for resin based 3D
printer.
d) To design an improvement on the support system for resin based 3D printer.
e) To examine the improvement of the resin based 3D machine.

1.4 Scope
This project will be concentrate on resin based 3D printer which can produce prototype
with faster compared to the other method. The machine that will be used is E-darts
machine. This machine will be operating to produce the specimen. Problem on this
machine will be examined. By examine the cause of this problem the solution can be
make and improvement on this machine also can be done by crate new design of the
support system.

3

CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Rapid Prototyping
2.1.1 What Is The Rapid Prototyping?
In the development of a new product, there is invariably a need to produce a single
example or prototype of a designed part or system before the allocation of large amounts
of capital to new production facilities or assembly lines ( Kalpakjian,S. and Schmid, S.
(2000)). The main reasons for this need are that the capital cost is very high and
production tooling takes considerable time to prepare. Consequently, a working
prototype is needed for design evaluation and troubleshooting before a complex product
or system is ready to be produced and marketed.

Rapid prototyping systems have become commercially available; they can offer a
significant reduction in the product development life cycle (LIU, S. and WANG, Z.
(1998)). Currently, most of the basic research work on rapid prototyping is focused on
the development of new materials or techniques for deposition. New application-based
research is critically needed to make the rapid prototyping technology more costeffective, efficient and versatile, particularly during the part design, process planning
and support design stages.

4

2.1.2 Classification of the Rapid Prototyping Processes
Rapid Prototyping is a technology that also can be called as solid free from fabrication.
Rapid prototyping process can be divided into three different groups: subtractive,
additive and virtual processes. Subtractive process will remove the material from a
workpiece. The workpiece is larger than the final part. While the additive process will
build up a part by adding the material to produce the final part. Virtual process will use
an advanced computer-based visualization technologies. According to Kalpakjian, S.
and Schmid, S the computational steps in producing a stereolitography file is shown in
figure below.

Figure 2.1: The computational steps in producing a stereolitography file.

5

(a) Three-dimensional description part.
(b) The part is divided into slices (only one in 10 is shown).
(c) Support material is planned.
(d) A set of tool directions is determined to manufacture each slice. Also shown is the
extruder path at section A-A from (c) for a fused-deposition-modeling operation.

6