Optimization of surface scaffold morphology and structure using Taguchi’s design of experiments

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing or 3D Printing as it is commonly known is increasingly being used in the manufacturing of tissue engineering scaffold. The process allows for just in time production and customization. Hence, optimizing and varying the morphology of the tissue engineering scaffold in accordance to the application is one of the advantages of 3D printing. This paper aims to optimize the surface scaffold morphology by varying the dimensional parameters such as pore size, fibre diameter, orientation of fibres on scaffold and number of layers on the scaffold. The paper makes use of Taguchi’s Design of Experiments to understand and analyse the relationship between the different parameters that influence the morphological and mechanical characteristics of the scaffold.