Influence of Print Orientation on Surface Roughness in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Processes

In the present paper, we address the influence of print orientation angle on surface roughnessobtained in lateral walls in fused deposition modelling (FDM) processes. A geometrical model isdefined that considers the shape of the filaments after deposition, in order to define a theoreticalroughness profile, for a certain print orientation angle. Different angles were considered between 5¿and 85¿. Simulated arithmetical mean height of the roughness profile, Ra values, were calculated fromthe simulated profiles. The Ra simulated results were compared to the experimental results, whichwere carried out with cylindrical PLA (polylactic acid) samples. The simulated Ra values were similarto the experimental values, except for high angles above 80¿, where experimental roughness decreasedwhile simulated roughness was still high. Low print orientation angles show regular profiles withrounded peaks and sharp values. At a print orientation angle of 85¿, the shape of the profile changeswith respect to lower angles, showing a gap between adjacent peaks. At 90¿, both simulated andexperimental roughness values would be close to zero, because the measurement direction is parallelto the layer orientation. Other roughness parameters were also measured: maximum height ofprofile, Rz, kurtosis, Rku, skewness, Rsk, and mean width of the profile elements, Rsm. At high printorientation angles, Rz decreases, Rku shifts to positive, Rsk slightly increases, and Rsk decreases,showing the change in the shape of the roughness profiles.Postprint (published version