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Play well, print well: using LEGO bricks as an intuitive benchmarking tool for 3D printers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 May 2024

Alan Air  and
Andrew Wodehouse
Alan Air*
Affiliation:
University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland, United Kingdom
Andrew Wodehouse
Affiliation:
University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom
*
alan.air@strath.ac.uk

Abstract

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In 3D printing, calibration is crucial for accurate prints, particularly those with complex or intricate features. This paper focuses on developing, manufacturing, and testing a benchmarking model to assess the dimensional accuracy of 3D printers. The aim is to evaluate the 3D printed model against a universally recognized real-world equivalent – a LEGO® brick – using its interlock function as a test with an engaging element. An interlock benchmarking framework aids further analysis of the model's performance, and a checklist for the model is provided for additional visual analysis.

Keywords

3D printingcalibration testdimensional accuracyprocess modelling
Type
Design for Additive Manufacturing
Information
Proceedings of the Design Society , Volume 4: DESIGN 2024 , May 2024 , pp. 1707 - 1716
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BYCreative Common License - NCCreative Common License - ND
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is unaltered and is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work.
Copyright
The Author(s), 2024.

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