Taguchi optimization of mask stereolithographic 3D printing parameters for tensile strengthening of functionally graded resins

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a recently developed fabrication technology that allows the development of stronger and lighter components. The aim of this research is to study and examine the influence of various process parameters of masked stereolithography (MSLA) apparatus, namely, exposure time, intensity, and rest time on the tensile strength. The Taguchi design of experiments, L9 orthogonal array, was employed to determine the optimal conditions for printing the RESIONE M58 resin samples. Moreover, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized to obtain the significance of each parameter of MSLA process on the strength of the samples. According to the experimental results obtained from Taguchi method, the exposure time of 35 to 1.5 s, intensity of 80%, and rest time of 0.5 s were the best conditions for enhancement of the strength of resin. Exposure time was detected as the main factor that can control the tensile strength of 3D-printed samples with the highest significance of ~ 66%. It should be mentioned that the significance of errors or unconsidered items was found around 29%.