A model research for prototype warp deformation in the FDM process

In rapid prototyping (RP) technology, prototypes are constructed by the sequential deposition of material layers. When the deposition process involves temperature gradients, thermal stresses will develop. In this paper, the prototype deformation in fused deposition modeling (FDM) processes is studied, and the essence of the deformation and the interacting principles are analyzed. According to basic hypotheses and simplifications, the mathematical model of the prototype warp deformation is constructed, and each of the influencing factors concretely, including the deposition layers number n, the stacking section length L, the chamber temperature Te, and the material linear shrinkage rate α, is quantificationally analyzed. Based on the analysis results, some issues and phenomena in the FDM process are rationally explained. Furthermore, the improving methods for the reduction of the prototype warp deformation are proposed, and the applying effect is better.