Determination of Adhesive to Be Applied in the Fabrication of Prototypes Using FDM Techniques of 3D Printing in Component Parts Using ULTEM™ 1010

Abstract

It is common in the 3D printer or additive manufacturing techniques of small or medium format, to manufacture prototypes or products in parts and then join them to complete a functional set to a specific industrial purpose. This technology is discarded as a valid alternative to many large-format parts or mechanical assemblies. However, adhesive technology offers the additive manufacturing an opportunity to avoid dependence on the dimensions of the prototype. When selecting a commercial adhesive it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions that inform about its basic composition and its use on some materials. However, these specifications are not applicable to materials commonly used in additive manufacturing. Polyetherimide (ULTEM™ 1010), is one of these materials due their relative novelty generate uncertainty when using them in large-format parts or assemblies because the manufacturer’s adhesives do not have tests enough provide guarantees. The problem is even more serious if the mechanical assembly is composed for the other complex parts that make up a kinematic device. The unions joint are stressed in the normal movement mechanism and some study about bond stress or adhesion strength is required. In this paper, a tensile test are carried out with 6 different adhesive technologies from the same manufacturer and the best response is determined experimentally. Through a second tensile test on 12 specimens in Fused Deposition Modeling technology with different orientations it is demonstrated who this parameter is determinant according adhesion strength parameter. Finally, with the best adhesive obtained, a first prototype mixer agitator has been carried out for the biomedical industry.