Precision Control in Vat Photopolymerization Based on Pure Copper Paste: Process Parameters and Optimization...

Area of Science:

• Additive Manufacturing
• Materials Science
• Photopolymerization

Background:

• Vat photopolymerization (VPP) offers design freedom for metal components.
• Copper powder properties and VPP defects limit high-precision metal additive manufacturing.
• Precise control is crucial for producing dimensionally accurate metal parts via VPP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify significant parameters affecting dimensional accuracy in VPP of copper.
• To determine optimal parameter regions for enhanced printing precision.
• To validate ANOVA and RMSD as methods for high-precision metal 3D printing.

Main Methods:

• Variance analysis (ANOVA) to identify significant parameters.
• Root mean square deviation (RMSD) to quantify size deviation.
• Systematic optimization of exposure time, intensity, layer thickness, and sweeper speed.

Main Results:

• Optimized printing parameters significantly improve dimensional accuracy.
• Achieved a minimum size deviation of 51 μm for a 1 mm height, 200 μm diameter hole.
• Demonstrated effective use of ANOVA and RMSD for precision control in metal VPP.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing VPP parameters enhances dimensional accuracy for metal printing.
• ANOVA and RMSD are effective tools for achieving high-precision stereolithography 3D printing of copper.
• VPP shows potential for fabricating metal components with improved accuracy and expanded material applications.