Identifying the Main Effects that Cause Spatial Variation in a Stereolithographic 3D-Printer with a Test Target and Graphical Analysis

This thesis investigates a stereolithography printers’ ability to resolve converging features within its build volume. This experiment employs the use of a Formlab Form 2 stereolithography device to create Geometric Element Test Target (GETT) artifacts designed in Solidworks. The sample will consist of a global arrangement of test artifacts in predetermined positions from a fractional factorial design of experiments. Each local sample will be a slanted ray GETT with designed wedge heights of 1 and 2mm. The finished array of samples are photographed and cataloged for graphical analysis. The ray step heights will be measured using a caliper and graphical analysis to observe any deviation from the digital file with respect to its volumetric arrangement. Similarly, the minimal producible width of the device will be calculated by measuring the wedge angle of the rays and the diameter of the region that cannot be produced by the printer, this will be done by using graphical analysis. The addressability of the device will be measured by counting the number of steps and dividing the measured heights by that number