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Abstract In the past decade, 3D printing has improved significantly and the use of 3D printed parts has extended to more precise industrial and scientific applications including space and medical applications. In subtractive Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining, such as milling and Electro Discharge Machining (EDM), some tool offsets, applied through the G-code, are used during machining to compensate for the tool dimensions and to ensure the dimensions of the final machined product match the original designed CAD model. Similar techniques have been implemented in different 3D printers but they still experience dimensional inaccuracy. Some of these inaccuracies might be fixed by performing the proper calibration but others need further investigation. In this study, the author will investigate the dimensional inaccuracies in the 3D printing process and the printing parameters and configuration affecting them. These parameters include layer thickness, percentage infill, infill pattern, printing speed, printing temperature, and number of shells. The effect of some geometric aspects of the 3D printed products such as size, shape, orthogonality, curvature, and whether dimension is internal or external will be considered. A significant number of specimens will be prepared and analyzed with precision measurement tools to evaluate and characterize the dimensional inaccuracy. Offset parameters and/or dimensional compensations will be estimated based on the analysis of the results. These parameters are expected to guide users to scale or modify their model before printing to ensure they reach the desired accuracy in the printed product.
Ahmad Fayed (Sun,) studied this question.