Implementation of a new production process for an industrial FDM printer and its characterization at Punch Torino S.p.A.

The aim of this thesis is the implementation of a production process for a FDM 3D printer at Punch Torino S.p.A., the analysis of its performance and the characterization of the tensile properties of two materials, Ultem and Carbon PEEK. In the first part of the document, a brief introduction on Additive Manufacturing techniques is present, with a focus on Fused Deposition Modelling, followed by a description of the host company and of the materials that have been studied. Then, the results of the capability assessment of the printer are reported: the study was done following the norm ISO/ASTM 52902:2019. Finally, several specimens were tested following ASTM D638-2014 to determine the tensile properties of the materials and define how they change by varying three parameters: printing orientation (horizontal or vertical), infill rate (100% or 35%) and testing temperature (ambient or 120°C). All the artifacts were created using a Roboze Argo500 printer at Punch Torino, and the tensile tests were conducted at Politecnico di Torino (DIMEAS).