Manufacturing of Metal–Polymer Hybrid Parts Using a Desktop 3-Axis Fused Filament Fabrication 3D-Printer

This study evaluated the manufacturing of metal–polymer hybrid parts using a 3-axis desktop Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) printer. Two printing strategies were employed: more trivial one, consisting 3D-printing polymer directly onto metal surface, and an alternative encasing with printed polymer. Materials used Ti-6Al-4V (both rolled/sandblasted 3D-printed by laser powder bed fusion) polyamide-based polymers. Demonstrators designed to resemble omega-shaped skin stringers commonly in vehicular applications. Several challenges addressed, including harvesting heat emanating from deposited locally increase substrate temperature, as well positioning metallic avoid undesired collisions during print job. Furthermore, better understand behavior encased under load, pullout tests conducted on commercially available M6 M8 steel nuts that enclosed composite block. Results revealed length edge shared enclosure significantly impacted strength.