A group of mechanical engineering students won first prize for their research presentation at the April student night of the American Society of Materials Los Angeles Chapter, which was titled "Optimal Parameters of 3D Printed PLA Parts regarding Isotropy and Material Efficiency." Lukas Foassis '26, Spencer Kraber '26, Jacob Parker '26, Kenneth Louie '25, and Tristan Minter '25 were all members of the team under the guidance of mechanical engineering professor Omar Es-Said.
The way a part is filled in 3D polymer printing is very flexible. Parker clarified that the two most important factors in polymer 3D printing are the infill pattern and infill percentage, which determine how much material is utilised and how the interior is organised. "To determine their strength-to-weight characteristics (i.e., material efficiency), we tested the strength of various infill patterns and infill percentages."
Additionally, the team looked at how consistent these attributes were across various development orientations. From left to right, from the bottom of the build plate to the top, and up through the construction plate, specimens can be constructed. Inconsistencies may result from these variances, according to Parker. "Our goal is to identify a set of 3D printing parameters that provide us with good strength in all three dimensions and good material efficiency."