The integration of multiple materials in Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printing presents significant opportunities to enhance the versatility and functionality of additively manufactured parts. However, inadequate inter-material bonding continues to hinder the mechanical performance and reliability of these components. This research seeks to address this challenge by developing and implementing a custom toolhead for FFF 3D printers, designed to deposit an adhesive layer at the interface of dissimilar materials during the printing process. Experimental investigations include lap-shear testing to evaluate the bond strength of multi-material parts produced using various material and adhesive combinations as well as resolution testing is conducted to determine the minimum feature size compatible with the adhesive application process. It is predicted that the incorporation of adhesives significantly enhances inter-material bond strength compared to conventional multi-material printing techniques. Furthermore, the resolution capabilities of this method are expected to enable the fabrication of intricate features that surpass the limitations of alternative bonding methods. This study highlights the potential of adhesive-enhanced 3D printing to overcome critical inter-material bonding challenges, paving the way for advanced multi-material applications in diverse fields, including biomedical devices, electronics, and structural components. The findings underscore the versatility and scalability of this approach, offering new possibilities for multi-material additive manufacturing.
Enhancing inter-material bond strength in multi-material 3D printing using a custom adhesive application toolhead
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Student Abstract Submission