Experimental and Numerical Investigation of 3D-Printed Spoiler Deflection Under Cantilever Beam Conditions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15282/ijame.22.4.2025.19.0996Keywords:
3D printing, Finite Element Analysis, Additive Manufacturing, Spoiler Deflection, Structural PerformanceAbstract
This study presents an experimental and numerical investigation of a high-camber automotive spoiler fabricated using Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) additive manufacturing with two materials: unfilled Nylon PA12 and glass-bead-reinforced PA12 (PA12GB). A total of eight spoiler specimens, representing four aspect ratios for each material, were tested under cantilever beam conditions to evaluate their deflection and strain response under varying concentrated loads. The deformation behavior was captured using strain gauge sensors integrated into a low-cost data acquisition system and validated through Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Results indicate that PA12 exhibits a nonlinear deflection trend at higher loads, while PA12GB maintains a largely linear elastic response. Vertical deflection was found to be the predominant deformation mode, with minimal lateral displacement or rotation. The comparison between experimental and numerical results showed a close correlation, with deviations ranging from 4.8% to 7.2%. This confirms the robustness and reliability of the finite element model. Overall, the study demonstrates that MJF-based additive manufacturing can produce lightweight, structurally efficient and cost-effective spoilers suitable for customized automotive applications.
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