Page 32 - FDMAsia Jul/Aug 2026

30 TECHNOLOGY JUL/AUG 2026 FDM ASIA | www.fdmasia.com

MATERIAL-EFFICIENT DESIGN OF

3D-PRINTED FURNITURE CONNECTORS

Additive manufacturing offers new opportunities for producing customised furniture connectors with
reduced material consumption. This study investigates the effects of perimeter count and cubic infill
density on the mechanical behaviour and material efficiency of FDM-printed dovetail connectors
made from recycled PLA+ and used in wooden corner joints. Besides, the study demonstrates that
appropriate selection of printing parameters can reduce polymer use and production time while
maintaining mechanical performance, contributing to more sustainable furniture manufacturing. By
Nadežda Langová, Šimon Beliansky, Jozef Fekiač and Ján Sedliačik, Technical University in Zvolen

orm-fitting joints have been used in furniture construction customised polymer connectors for wooden furniture joints.
for centuries because they transfer loads mainly through For furniture design, this approach has practical relevance
Fgeometry. Unlike joints based only on adhesives or because reducing polymer consumption while maintaining
mechanical fasteners, their performance depends strongly on mechanical performance can improve material efficiency.
the shape of the mating parts. Printed connectors can support detachable and repairable

The dovetail principle is one of the most recognisable joints, which may extend product service life and simplify the
examples of this approach. Its self-locking geometry provides replacement of damaged parts.
good positioning of the connected elements and enables In addition, the geometry and internal structure of the
efficient load transfer. connector can be adapted to a specific application without
With the development of fused deposition modelling dedicated tooling. This flexibility is particularly valuable in the
(FDM), this traditional joining principle can be transferred into furniture industry, where product variety is high and production

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