Optimization of 3D printing parameters of twin-screw extruder for high concentration nanocellulose

Twin-screw extruder (TSE) based additive manufacturing technology can effectively print high viscous materials into precise and complex shapes. The dimensional accuracy and quality of the printed parts depend on the correct selection of the extruder machine's processing parameters to the printing materials. Hence, this paper presents an experimental study on optimizing the processing parameters of TSE for high concentration nanocellulose paste. The optimized parameters include twin-screw speed, feeding rate, printing speed to the nozzle diameter, and nanocellulose paste concentration. The feed rate of 1.2 ml/min, screw speed of 150 rpm, and the printing speed of 9.37 mm/s were the optimum process parameters for high accuracy and high-quality 3D printed structures 25wt% nanocellulose paste. Furthermore, pyramid-shaped and star-shaped structures were printed to verify the optimized parameters.