Achievable mechanical performance of generatively designed PA6-CF and PLA components fabricated by desktop material extrusion

This study investigates the mechanical performance of PA6-CF and PLA components fabricated with desktop material extrusion additive manufacturing. To define the geometry, low-cost 3D scanning was used in combination with Generative Design in Autodesk Fusion 360. PA6-CF outperformed PLA by 25% in pre-failure peak load (1.85 kN vs. 1.47 kN), despite the datasheet values suggesting a 450% advantage in interlayer strength. Poor interlayer bonding of PA6-CF is attributed to low layer temperatures (87–136 °C) during the printing process, indicating that a chamber temperature of 60 °C is inadequate.