Volume 2018, Issue 1 9037490
Research Article
Open Access

Computer Numerical Controlled Grinding and Physical Vapor Deposition for Fused Deposition Modelled Workpieces

Fulvio Lavecchia

Corresponding Author

Fulvio Lavecchia

Dipartimento di Meccanica Matematica e Management, Politecnico di Bari, Bari, Italy poliba.it

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Gianluca Percoco

Gianluca Percoco

Dipartimento di Meccanica Matematica e Management, Politecnico di Bari, Bari, Italy poliba.it

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Eujin Pei

Eujin Pei

Institute of Materials and Manufacturing, Brunel University London, London, UK brunel.ac.uk

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Luigi Maria Galantucci

Luigi Maria Galantucci

Dipartimento di Meccanica Matematica e Management, Politecnico di Bari, Bari, Italy poliba.it

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First published: 01 November 2018
Citations: 12
Academic Editor: Yuanshi Li

Abstract

The use of additive manufacturing (AM) enables companies to directly produce complex end-use parts. Fused deposition modelling (FDM) is an AM technology based on an extrusion process of fabricating parts. This layer-by-layer method results in a poor surface finish, and as a result, manual finishing is often required, which consequentially reduces the definition of the geometrical features. This research proposes a novel way of achieving high surface finishing by using additive and finishing processes, followed by a physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating. Two test pieces were produced, the first one was subjected to computer numerical controlled (CNC) mechanical grinding with appropriate grades of grindstones; the second one was subjected to microsandblasting to remove excess material and the stair-stepping effect. Both test pieces were then subjected to a PVD coating process to provide a metal thin film. To benchmark the test pieces, the authors used a coordinate measure machine for dimensions and a roughness meter to verify the effectiveness of this postprocessing approach.

Data Availability

Data supporting this research article are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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