DYNA JOURNAL ENGINEERING

Key words:

Mask Image Projection, stereolithography, additive manufacturing, numerical simulation, pixel blending, layer thickness, photocurable resin, model calibration, printing accuracy, 3D printing optimization, process validation, manufacturing simulation, geometrical fidelity, polymerization kinetics, digital light processing.

Article type:

ARTICULO DE INVESTIGACION / RESEARCH ARTICLE

Section:

RESEARCH ARTICLES

Mask Image Projection based on Stereolithography (MIP-SL) uses photocurable materials to built-up a 3D part by means of an Additive Manufacturing process. The accuracy, resolution and mechanical properties of printed parts depend on the material conversion ratio value at each location of the manufacturing domain. Therefore, the use of numerical models to determine the material conversion ratio according to the characteristics of the printing process is a key factor to optimize and improve the quality of printed parts. In this paper, a new numerical model to simulate the manufacturing process is presented. This model takes the pixel-blending effect as well as the multi-layered characteristics of the process into account. Several experimental measurements are performed to calibrate the numerical model. Finally, the estimated printed geometries provided by the numerical model are successfully compared with experimental results.

Keywords: Mask Image Projection, Frontal Photopolymerization Process, Numerical Model, Additive Manufacturing, Pixel Blending