Improving Geometric Tolerances in 3D Printable Pneumatic Valves Designed for Respiratory Mechanical Ventilators Amid Covid-19 Pandemic

摘要

Additive manufacturing is the main approach to fabricate freeform and complex shapes specifically when there is a time limit for the production of a part. Manufacturing complex shapes and highly customizable products in a short time is crucial especially during catastrophic events such as earthquakes, hurricanes and even pandemics in which having a mechanical part is vital to save human lives. An internal or external circular geometry is among the main manufacturing shapes that can be seen in many industrial parts which are mainly used as a joint between the components. In this paper, a methodology is presented to minimize the difference between the minimum circumscribed and the maximum inscribed circles constructing a circular feature of a pneumatic valve. The main purpose of this research is to improve the feasibility of using Additive Manufacturing methods in terms of dimensional accuracy to manufacture parts promptly and without the need for a post-processing operation.