Viabilidade da manufatura aditiva na construção de um abrasímetro

Abstract

The abrasimeter is a widely used piece of equipment in the textile industry due to its abrasion testing capabilities. As a type of tribometer, it offers high rigidity and durability combined with great precision and repeatability in data acquisition. However, even when working with rigid materials, it presents challenges in terms of maintenance. This study aims to manufacture a prototype through additive manufacturing and observe how the equipment, now made from polymeric material, would perform in relation to the difficulties and essential characteristics required of a tribometer. The project lasted approximately 18 months, taking into account the difficulties encountered in finding theoretical foundations for the equipment’s design, as well as problems at the beginning of the manufacturing process. Overall, the choice of additive manufacturing proved to be positive due to its low cost and ease of pre-manufacturing modifications, along with the simplicity of assembling parts made from PLA filament. Had the aforementioned setbacks not occurred, the study's development would have progressed without major issues. Nonetheless, based on the accessible theoretical foundations, the results were analyzed in a preliminary manner, providing relevant insights for future research and improvements in the proposed solution’s development.