INFLUENCE OF 3D PRINTING technology OF AUTOMOTIVE
PARTS MADE OF PLASTICS ON THEIR TRIBOLOGICAL
PROPERTIES
This paper presents results of tribological examinations of chosen automotive subassemblies made of plastics by using of 3D-printing. The influence of chosen technological parameters, i.e. plastic temperature, the velocity of printing head, and the height of deposited simple layer on wear of samples produced of PA 12 polymer rubbing against hard anodised sliding guide of car sunroof is defined. It was found that samples printed at minimal temperature (t = 240°C), a minimal height of deposited simple layer (h = 0,1 mm), and a minimal (40 mm/s) and maximal (v = 60 mm/s) deposition velocity show the minimal wear. Examining under similar conditions (p = 0.4 MPa, v = 2.5 m/s, reciprocating movement) of samples made by using press moulding cut out from car sub-assemblies for a comparison were carried out. As a result of experiments, it was concluded that the wear intensity of roller stretching drive belt made from composite (PA15GF) and the wear intensity of the belt itself during sliding, caused by seizure of bearing, is so high that menaces engine with damage.