Characterization and model-based design validation of 3D printed cookies

Abstract

Additive manufacturing is revolutionizing processing in many applications including 3D food printing. A Fused Deposition Modelling printing method was developed to produce cookies. In order to design food of particular texture, a fine element model was established to predict the mechanical properties of structured products. Cookie structures were engineered to achieve desirable texture properties in silico and dedicated print files were created for 3D printing. In order to validate the model, the properties of the printed cookies were measured and analysed. Compression tests were performed to determine Young’s modulus. X-ray micro-CT imaging was applied to characterize the 3D microstructure of the printed cookies samples. Micro-CT imaging provided a better understanding about the effects of the 3D printing process on cookie structure. Finally, a better fit of the prediction model was obtained by adjusting the model geometry to the scanned printed structure, which indicates the importance of structure integrity for mechanical properties of printed cookies.status: publishe