Effect of Build Orientation on the Resonant Frequencies of 3D Printed Nylon12 CF35 Specimens

Vibration is a phenomenon constantly encountered in everyday life. To ensure that the components of a vehicle can withstand these mechanical demands over time, they are tested in specialized laboratories with the help of equipment called shakers. The connecting part between the tested components and the test equipment is called the fixture. Until now, they were made of an aluminum alloy, but with the increasing complexity of the shape of the components, they are increasingly difficult to manufacture. With the emergence of new manufacturing technologies (e.g. additive manufacturing), new solutions appear. Using FDM, the purpose of this work is to compare the influence given by the printing direction (build orientation) of the Nylon12CF35 material, which has the potential to be the right material to keep up with the evolution of technology in this industry. For this scope 20 specimens in 4 different build orientations were printed and tested using sine sweep method, to determine the resonance frequencies. All printed specimens had the same infill rate and infill pattern. X-ray analysis of the specimens reveals the internal structure generated by fused deposition technology, layer disposal with respect to longitudinal axis of the specimens. A comparison of the results in terms of resonant frequencies allows us to determine which direction of printing is more suitable for vibration modes and frequencies to replace the classical massive fixtures. The results also show how the printing parameters, in this case build orientation change the inner structure and which is the connection between these parameters and the frequency response of the structure.