Optimising 3D-printed flexible lattice structures for morphing applications by linking rheology to mechanical behaviour

Additive manufacturing, particularly extrusion-based additive manufacturing (EB-AM), has transformed the fabrication of complex structures. Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), valued for its elasticity and durability, is an ideal material for flexible lattice designs. However, determining optimal rheo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Laia Farràs-Tasias, Max Vermeerbergen, Francisco A. Gilabert, Ludwig Cardon, Flavio H. Marchesini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Virtual and Physical Prototyping
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17452759.2025.2478514
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850276777375563776
author Laia Farràs-Tasias
Max Vermeerbergen
Francisco A. Gilabert
Ludwig Cardon
Flavio H. Marchesini
author_facet Laia Farràs-Tasias
Max Vermeerbergen
Francisco A. Gilabert
Ludwig Cardon
Flavio H. Marchesini
author_sort Laia Farràs-Tasias
collection DOAJ
description Additive manufacturing, particularly extrusion-based additive manufacturing (EB-AM), has transformed the fabrication of complex structures. Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), valued for its elasticity and durability, is an ideal material for flexible lattice designs. However, determining optimal rheological properties and printing parameters during extrusion remains a significant challenge. This study introduces the 3DFLOR framework (3D Flexible Lattice Optimisation via Rheology), a novel methodology that combines the Doehlert experimental design and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to minimise trial and error in EB-AM. By systematically adjusting critical printing parameters, such as printing temperature and speed, the 3DFLOR framework establishes a link between the rheological and the mechanical properties. The experimental results show an enhancement of the mechanical properties tailored for the morphing application. This research not only provides a specific application optimisation but a universal methodology for optimising and linking rheology and material properties in other applications.
format Article
id doaj-art-ac0ebfb232a94dfeb2c41527c5c1d806
institution OA Journals
issn 1745-2759
1745-2767
language English
publishDate 2025-12-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
record_format Article
series Virtual and Physical Prototyping
spelling doaj-art-ac0ebfb232a94dfeb2c41527c5c1d8062025-08-20T01:50:07ZengTaylor & Francis GroupVirtual and Physical Prototyping1745-27591745-27672025-12-0120110.1080/17452759.2025.2478514Optimising 3D-printed flexible lattice structures for morphing applications by linking rheology to mechanical behaviourLaia Farràs-Tasias0Max Vermeerbergen1Francisco A. Gilabert2Ludwig Cardon3Flavio H. Marchesini4Centre for Polymer and Material Technologies (CPMT), Ghent University, Ghent, BelgiumCentre for Polymer and Material Technologies (CPMT), Ghent University, Ghent, BelgiumMechanics of Materials and Structures (MMS), Ghent University, Ghent, BelgiumCentre for Polymer and Material Technologies (CPMT), Ghent University, Ghent, BelgiumCentre for Polymer and Material Technologies (CPMT), Ghent University, Ghent, BelgiumAdditive manufacturing, particularly extrusion-based additive manufacturing (EB-AM), has transformed the fabrication of complex structures. Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), valued for its elasticity and durability, is an ideal material for flexible lattice designs. However, determining optimal rheological properties and printing parameters during extrusion remains a significant challenge. This study introduces the 3DFLOR framework (3D Flexible Lattice Optimisation via Rheology), a novel methodology that combines the Doehlert experimental design and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to minimise trial and error in EB-AM. By systematically adjusting critical printing parameters, such as printing temperature and speed, the 3DFLOR framework establishes a link between the rheological and the mechanical properties. The experimental results show an enhancement of the mechanical properties tailored for the morphing application. This research not only provides a specific application optimisation but a universal methodology for optimising and linking rheology and material properties in other applications.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17452759.2025.2478514Additive manufacturingrheologylattice structuresoptimisationmorphing wingDoehlert design
spellingShingle Laia Farràs-Tasias
Max Vermeerbergen
Francisco A. Gilabert
Ludwig Cardon
Flavio H. Marchesini
Optimising 3D-printed flexible lattice structures for morphing applications by linking rheology to mechanical behaviour
Virtual and Physical Prototyping
Additive manufacturing
rheology
lattice structures
optimisation
morphing wing
Doehlert design
title Optimising 3D-printed flexible lattice structures for morphing applications by linking rheology to mechanical behaviour
title_full Optimising 3D-printed flexible lattice structures for morphing applications by linking rheology to mechanical behaviour
title_fullStr Optimising 3D-printed flexible lattice structures for morphing applications by linking rheology to mechanical behaviour
title_full_unstemmed Optimising 3D-printed flexible lattice structures for morphing applications by linking rheology to mechanical behaviour
title_short Optimising 3D-printed flexible lattice structures for morphing applications by linking rheology to mechanical behaviour
title_sort optimising 3d printed flexible lattice structures for morphing applications by linking rheology to mechanical behaviour
topic Additive manufacturing
rheology
lattice structures
optimisation
morphing wing
Doehlert design
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17452759.2025.2478514
work_keys_str_mv AT laiafarrastasias optimising3dprintedflexiblelatticestructuresformorphingapplicationsbylinkingrheologytomechanicalbehaviour
AT maxvermeerbergen optimising3dprintedflexiblelatticestructuresformorphingapplicationsbylinkingrheologytomechanicalbehaviour
AT franciscoagilabert optimising3dprintedflexiblelatticestructuresformorphingapplicationsbylinkingrheologytomechanicalbehaviour
AT ludwigcardon optimising3dprintedflexiblelatticestructuresformorphingapplicationsbylinkingrheologytomechanicalbehaviour
AT flaviohmarchesini optimising3dprintedflexiblelatticestructuresformorphingapplicationsbylinkingrheologytomechanicalbehaviour