Author Information

Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?

Undergraduate

Project Type

individual

Campus

Daytona Beach

Authors' Class Standing

Owen Maute, Sophomore

Lead Presenter's Name

Owen Maute

Lead Presenter's College

DB College of Engineering

Faculty Mentor Name

Dr. Jorge Gonzalez

Abstract

Vibration and damping are important considerations in many engineering structures, especially as additive manufacturing becomes more widely used in functional mechanical components. This project investigates how the internal structure of 3D-printed parts affects their vibrational behavior. A series of cantilever beams with identical outer dimensions will be designed and manufactured using a 3D printer with PLA filament, since PLA is one of the most commonly used materials in consumer and prototyping-level additive manufacturing. The study will examine five different infill patterns at three different infill densities, producing multiple beam configurations that vary only in their internal geometry. In addition to vibration behavior, the mass of each printed beam will also be measured and compared in order to evaluate how internal structure influences both weight and dynamic performance. Each beam will be clamped at one end and displaced at the free end to produce free vibration. The resulting oscillations will be recorded and analyzed to determine quantities such as natural frequency, amplitude decay, and damping ratio. The motion of the beams will be modeled using the second-order differential equation for a damped vibrating system: π‘šπ‘₯β€²β€²+𝑐π‘₯β€²+π‘˜π‘₯=0 where π‘š represents the effective mass of the system, 𝑐 is the damping coefficient, and π‘˜ is the stiffness of the beam. Solutions to this equation predict an oscillatory motion with an exponentially decaying amplitude for underdamped systems, which corresponds to the behavior observed in many flexible structures. Experimental displacement data will be compared with the mathematical model to estimate parameters such as damping coefficient and natural frequency for each printed configuration. By comparing results across different infill patterns, densities, and beam masses, this study aims to better understand how internal print structure influences stiffness, energy dissipation, and vibration characteristics.

Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?

No

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Influence of Infill Geometry on the Vibrational Behavior of 3D-Printed Cantilever Beams

Vibration and damping are important considerations in many engineering structures, especially as additive manufacturing becomes more widely used in functional mechanical components. This project investigates how the internal structure of 3D-printed parts affects their vibrational behavior. A series of cantilever beams with identical outer dimensions will be designed and manufactured using a 3D printer with PLA filament, since PLA is one of the most commonly used materials in consumer and prototyping-level additive manufacturing. The study will examine five different infill patterns at three different infill densities, producing multiple beam configurations that vary only in their internal geometry. In addition to vibration behavior, the mass of each printed beam will also be measured and compared in order to evaluate how internal structure influences both weight and dynamic performance. Each beam will be clamped at one end and displaced at the free end to produce free vibration. The resulting oscillations will be recorded and analyzed to determine quantities such as natural frequency, amplitude decay, and damping ratio. The motion of the beams will be modeled using the second-order differential equation for a damped vibrating system: π‘šπ‘₯β€²β€²+𝑐π‘₯β€²+π‘˜π‘₯=0 where π‘š represents the effective mass of the system, 𝑐 is the damping coefficient, and π‘˜ is the stiffness of the beam. Solutions to this equation predict an oscillatory motion with an exponentially decaying amplitude for underdamped systems, which corresponds to the behavior observed in many flexible structures. Experimental displacement data will be compared with the mathematical model to estimate parameters such as damping coefficient and natural frequency for each printed configuration. By comparing results across different infill patterns, densities, and beam masses, this study aims to better understand how internal print structure influences stiffness, energy dissipation, and vibration characteristics.

 

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