ABSTRACT
Fused deposition modelling (FDM), a type of three-dimensional printing (3DP), is a fast-spreading technology that can generate a product of any shape, size, colour, texture, complexity and surface finish, covering all areas of manufacturing. It can be applied to manufacture components, instruments, equipment, tools and fixtures of the electronics industry, automotive and aircraft industry, space missions, construction industry, interior design and architecture, fashion, toy industry and in reproducing human organs and bones. Medical application of three-dimensional printed human organs has gained wide popularity, because of its power in developing organs similar to the natural phenomenon of organ development. Human transplants cannot be repeated in the same way as mechanical parts such as nuts and bolts can be replaced; only one attempt is allowed when operating on the human body and plantingorgans. Hence this technology needs a high degree of precision and accuracy.
Focusing on the quality of the products produced by FDM is essential. Despite aggressive and dedicated research in this field, a rational research approach using trusted techniques is highly desirable to make this technology take flight.
In this chapter, two tested, reliable and powerful techniques are synergistically combined to find the loss and optimize the process parameters by applying quality loss function (QLF) and response surface methodology (RSM). This study will further enhance the quality of the process and products.
