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Article
Publication date: 20 April 2022

Mattia Mele, Gregorio Pisaneschi, Giampaolo Campana, Andrea Zucchelli and Michele Ciotti

The body of the literature on the Arburg Plastic Freeforming process is still very limited despite the increasing industrial importance of this technology. This paper aims to…

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Abstract

Purpose

The body of the literature on the Arburg Plastic Freeforming process is still very limited despite the increasing industrial importance of this technology. This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of this technology by investigating relations between characteristic process parameters and part features. Particularly, the effects of nominal dimension, drop aspect ratio, build chamber temperature and part position on accuracy are investigated. The density of manufactured parts is also measured to understand its relation with dimensional error.

Design/methodology/approach

A benchmark part was designed and manufactured in Polycarbonate on an Arburg Plastic Freeformer 2K-3A. The process was repeated with two levels of drop aspect ratio (1.2125 and 1.2150) and two build chamber temperatures (90°C and 120°C). Each build job included five parts in different positions of the chamber. The dimensional accuracy of benchmarks was measured by using a digital caliper, while Archimede’s principle was used for density measurements. All the acquired results were processed through an analysis of variance to investigate the role of experimental factors.

Findings

Results demonstrate that the linear shrinkage occurring at the end of the 3D printing process is the main source of inaccuracy. The higher the building chamber temperature, the most the part accuracy is influenced by the nominal dimension. The drop aspect ratio affects the dimensional error in the XY plane by increasing the overlap of adjacent droplets. On the other hand, this parameter does not influence the accuracy along the Z direction. The position of the parts inside the building chamber exhibited an influence on results, arguably due to the hot airflows.

Research limitations/implications

This research did not allow for a complete understanding of the role of part positioning on part accuracy. Further study is needed to understand the detail of this phenomenon.

Practical implications

The results of this study can aid the users of Arburg Plastic Freeforming technology by uncovering the role of the main process parameters.

Originality/value

This paper expands the body of knowledge on the Arburg Plastic Freeforming process by providing new information on the role of the main process parameters on dimensional accuracy and density. Particularly, the results answer a research question on the role of the drop aspect ratio, demonstrating that its main effect is to vary the droplets overlap, which, in turn, affects the thermal shrinkage.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 28 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 27 September 2021

Michele Ciotti, Giampaolo Campana and Mattia Mele

This paper aims to present a survey concerning the accuracy of thermoplastic polymeric parts fabricated by additive manufacturing (AM). Based on the scientific literature, the aim…

406

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a survey concerning the accuracy of thermoplastic polymeric parts fabricated by additive manufacturing (AM). Based on the scientific literature, the aim is to provide an updated map of trends and gaps in this relevant research field. Several technologies and investigation methods are examined, thus giving an overview and analysis of the growing body of research.

Design/methodology/approach

Permutations of keywords, which concern materials, technologies and the accuracy of thermoplastic polymeric parts fabricated by AM, are used for a systematic search in peer-review databases. The selected articles are screened and ranked to identify those that are more relevant. A bibliometric analysis is performed based on investigated materials and applied technologies of published papers. Finally, each paper is categorised and discussed by considering the implemented research methods.

Findings

The interest in the accuracy of additively manufactured thermoplastics is increasing. The principal sources of inaccuracies are those shrinkages occurring during part solidification. The analysis of the research methods shows a predominance of empirical approaches. Due to the experimental context, those achievements have consequently limited applicability. Analytical and numerical models, which generally require huge computational costs when applied to complex products, are also numerous and are investigated in detail. Several articles deal with artificial intelligence tools and are gaining more and more attention.

Originality/value

The cross-technology survey on the accuracy issue highlights the common critical aspects of thermoplastics transformed by AM. An updated map of the recent research literature is achieved. The analysis shows the advantages and limitations of different research methods in this field, providing an overview of research trends and gaps.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 28 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 5 August 2024

Lorenzo Pratici, Fiorella Pia Salvatore, Simone Fanelli, Antonello Zangrandi and Michele Milone

The purpose of this paper is to understand whether and how the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) paradigm can be useful in social reporting in the context of nonprofit…

512

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand whether and how the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) paradigm can be useful in social reporting in the context of nonprofit healthcare organizations. In other words, the study deals with non-financial reporting and information, allowing external stakeholders to comprehensively evaluate the organization’s performance and behavior, investigating internal stakeholder perception over ESG paradigm application.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a case study approach investigating four cases among nonprofit healthcare organizations in Italy. Analyses of available primary sources have been conducted, followed by semi-structured interviews. Interviews were then transcribed and coded in a joint blinded process by all authors. More specifically, three areas have been investigated: (1) factors motivating the development of non-financial disclosure practices; (2) the rationale behind the organization’s decision to include specific topics; and (3) the future perspective on the future of non-financial disclosure within the specific sector.

Findings

ESG may serve as a suitable framework to create comparable documents that can act as benchmarks for similar institutions. However, while nonprofit organizations (NPOs) can draw inspiration from ESG, the utility of these criteria should be thoughtfully tailored to align with the organization’s mission. The ESG using as a general guide, instead of implementing it as a real tool to assess performances, emerges as a positive practice. NPOs should not focus on fulfilling ESG requirements bur rather take inspiration from them. Otherwise, the risk is an excess of focus on the formal aspect rather than on its content.

Originality/value

The study contributes to a better understanding of social and ESG’ reporting activities and approaches in the healthcare sector by describing some case studies and the effect of sustainability in the social reporting of nonprofit healthcare organizations.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 63 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

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