Research Information System
Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering, vol.48, no.2, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
This study presents a systematic investigation of the process-structure–property relationships of polymer lattice structures by comparing Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA). An L18 Taguchi orthogonal array was used to evaluate the influence of lattice geometry (Truncated, Kelvin, Fluorite), unit cell size (4 × 4 × 4, 6 × 6 × 6, 8 × 8 × 8 mm), and manufacturing methods. Mechanical performance was characterized via uniaxial compression tests and validated with linear-elastic finite element analysis (FEA). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that unit cell size was the dominant parameter, contributing 55.89% to the mechanical performance, followed by lattice geometry (27.55%) and manufacturing method (5.00%). The FDM-manufactured Truncated geometry (4 × 4 × 4 mm) exhibited the highest mechanical strength (~ 25 MPa), while the FDM Kelvin geometry at the same size showed the highest volumetric energy absorption (1.91 J/cm3). However, the analysis of specific energy absorption (SEA, J/g) to evaluate mass efficiency revealed a critical approach. SLA-manufactured structures consistently demonstrated superior SEA, indicating higher efficiency on a per-gram basis, especially at lower densities (larger unit cell sizes). These findings underscore that FDM is optimal for volume-constrained applications requiring maximum bulk strength, whereas SLA is the superior choice for weight-sensitive applications where mass-efficiency is paramount. This integrated approach provides a comprehensive framework for designing structurally efficient lattices by simultaneously optimizing geometry, unit cell size, and manufacturing method based on specific application constraints.