Structure design of 3D printed cookies in relation to texture

In order to develop a model that allows for a better understanding of the interaction between the properties of the solid matrix, the structure and the mechanical behaviour of the cookie, both mechanical and structural properties need to be taken into account. To this end, a finite element model (FEM) was developed that predicts the mechanical properties of the structured product based on the material properties of the solid material used. The solid material mechanical properties were measured using compression tests with a universal testing machine. A larger variation of structures was analysed by means of FEM simulations, varying the size and shape of the air spaces and wall thickness of the structure. Structural parameters such as porosity, pore size and wall thickness were correlated to the mechanical properties such as Young's modulus. In a next step these structures validated by means of mechanical compression tests on actual printed structures (by means of fused deposition modelling) with different air space distributions based on the 3D FE design files. The structure of the printed cookies will also be verified by means of 3D micro-CT imaging. Using this final correlation model, microstructure of the products can be engineered to achieve desirable texture properties in silico and create dedicated print files for additive manufacturing of cookies.