A type-1 fuzzy fusion model based on the Dempster-Shafer theory for the simulation of 3D fused deposition

In this research, a novel fusion model which incorporates a type-1 fuzzy logic system (T1FLS) and the Dempster-Shafer theory (DST) is proposed to model the 3D fused deposition process. First, the experimental data, which are constructed based on the Taguchi L18 array for two filaments (i.e., Polyether-ether-ketone and Polyether-ketone-ketone), are used to develop T1FLSs that have different structures. Second, a fusion algorithm integrating fuzzy logic and the DST is presented to integrate the predicted values of the T1FLSs after analysing the behaviours of such systems in the space examined. The proposed model can integrate such systems in a way that can resolve possible conflicts among the models developed in the first stage and, as a result, it can improve the predictive performance. Validated on a set of experimental data, the proposed fusion model has improved the predictive performance with an average improvement of 25.6%. The fusion model developed is employed to anticipate the mechanical characteristics of a dental part produced by fused deposition.