Testing the effects of fabrication parameters on post-fabrication shape change of a 3D printed textile platform

Abstract

In this study, a moisture-stimulated 3D printing filament was printed onto an elastic band. The created textile platform changes its shape permanently after exposure to a high-moisture environment. Three main manufacturing parameters – i.e., the printed pattern’s infill percentage, the printed pattern’s thickness, and the textile stretch – were tested to study their effects on the platform curving process. It was observed that an increase of the printed pattern’s infill density from 20 % to 80 %, or the printed pattern’s thickness from 1.3 mm to 1.7 mm, resulted in reduced curvature, whereas an increase in the elastic band’s stretch extent from 120 % to 130 % of its original length increased the curvature. The achieved results can be very useful in optimizing and programming moisture sensor performance, as several sensor manufacturing parameters can be modified according to the application and use environment.