Graduation Semester and Year
2017
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
First Advisor
Robert M Taylor
Abstract
A design methodology for Continuous Carbon Fiber Additive Manufacturing (CCFAM) developed using Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) techniques takes advantage of both the mechanical strength of composite materials and the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) method. By performing topology optimization and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) on a load-bearing part, engineers can design much lighter optimized parts that are just as strong as those produced using FFF. This weight reduction is achieved by relying on the mechanical strength of continuous carbon fibers printed alongside a traditional thermoplastic matrix. The FFF additive manufacturing method enables the production of complex shapes, which can match the load-driven, organic geometries derived from topology optimization and other advanced CAE techniques. The efficacy of this design methodology has been demonstrated in a design case study of a motor mount for a vertical take-off and landing drone.
Keywords
Continuous fiber additive, Manufacturing, Composite 3D printing, Topology optimization, FEM, FEA, Additive manufacturing
Disciplines
Aerospace Engineering | Engineering | Mechanical Engineering
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Venter, Nicholas, "A DESIGN METHODOLOGY FOR CONTINUOUS FIBER ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING USING ADVANCED COMPUTER AIDED ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES" (2017). Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses. 852.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/mechaerospace_theses/852
Comments
Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington