Desain Ulang dan Fabrikasi Impeller Pompa Sentrifugal Menggunakan Teknologi 3D Printing

Abstract

This study focuses on the redesign and fabrication of a centrifugal pump impeller using 3D printing technology as a rapid prototyping method. The design process employed SolidWorks software to create three-dimensional models, while Ultimaker Cura was used for slicing and G-code generation. The printing material selected was Polylactic Acid (PLA), a lightweight, environmentally friendly polymer with suitable mechanical properties for prototyping applications. Fabrication was performed using a Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)-based 3D printer, enabling the production of impellers with high dimensional accuracy. Performance testing involved installing the fabricated impeller into a pump housing to evaluate flow efficiency, shaft power, and total head. The results demonstrate that impellers printed using 3D printing technology achieve comparable performance to commercial products, with dimensions aligning with the initial design and good flow efficiency. Moreover, this study establishes that 3D printing technology offers an efficient alternative for manufacturing mechanical components at low cost and with a short production time. This research significantly contributes to the application of additive manufacturing technology in the development and testing of mechanical engineering prototypes.