Fused deposition modelling process environmental performance through the carbon footprint evaluation

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a free-form build process in which an object is created adding multiple layers. AM process is characterized by on-demand freeform part manufacturing with multiple materials and not for big production batches. There are different types of additive technologies that are capable of building pieces in diverse materials. For this study, various types of materials were tested in a fused deposition modeling (FDM) process using a standard workpiece and the build process was simulated in CURA software. The aim is to show the variability of the energy and the CO₂ equivalent emissions produced in FDM manufacturing technology depending on the material used, specimen orientation, and the production batches. Variability in the material choice and the orientation of the piece was found for the environmental performance.