Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a relatively new prototyping
technique in which parts can be produced rapidly and accurately.The
present work started with the identification of the bench mark.
Prototypes were built with ABS plastic material and measurements were
made on the co-ordinate measuring machine from which IT grades were
calculated to check the dimensional accuracy of the components. The
purpose of this study is to find whether the FDM process is capable of
producing a pattern for manufacturing a die for hand tool with good
dimensional accuracy. The study involves best settings of machine by
varying the part orientations and studying the effect on the consumption
of the model material, support material and the time taken for
production. Morphology of the components at various orientations was
also studied to give an insight to the quality of the product produced
at various orientations. Measured mechanical properties like micro
hardness indicated the suitability of the process. Final components
produced are acceptable as per ISO standard UNI EN 20286-I (1995) and
DIN16901.