3D Printing of automobile spoilers using MCDM techniques

Abstract

Abstract The ultimate objective is to evaluate the efficacy of three-dimensional printers (3DP) for manufacturing a rear spoiler for radio-controlled (RC) racing cars. This research work focuses on the development of a multicritaeria decision making (MCDM) model for selecting a 3DP. The selection process includes multiple adverse criteria such as maximum print volume (E1), speed of operation (E2), minimum thickness (E3), extruder capacity (E4), printer cost (E5) and filament material cost (E6). To reduce this adverse nature of the assessment criteria, the preference selection index (PSI) method is anticipated as an MCDM technique for selecting the most suitable 3DP. In this work, ten alternative printers, Lulzbot TAZ 5 (A1), Ultimaker 2 (A2), Zortrax (A3), Wanhao duplicator 4 (A4), Airwolf 3D AW3D HD2X (A5), Flash forge creator X(A6), Makerbot replicator original (A7), Delta non-turbo WASP 2040(A8), Artifex duo 2 (A9), UP plus 2 (A10)are considered for the assessment process. From the suggested PSI models, the Wanhao duplicator 4 (A4) has emerged as a suitable 3DP for RC car application.