Mechanical and Artistic Evaluation of PLA-Based Additive Manufacturing for Cultural Heritage Artefacts

Abstract

The current research explores the mechanical and aesthetic qualities of religious artifacts produced with Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) based on Polylactic Acid (PLA) as the material. The 3D model of Lord Ganesha was printed on Creality K1C, with the parameters of slicing optimized as 0.4 mm nozzle, 0.12 mm layer height, and print time of 4 hours 24 minutes. The cumulative filament usage was 87.60 g of generic PLA. The printed artefact was inspected for dimensional accuracy, surface quality, and structural strength. Results show that FDM with PLA offers a sustainable replacement to traditional Plaster of Paris (PoP) idol making, guaranteeing both environmental sustainability and cultural appropriateness. The research brings out the potential of 3D printing in generating customizable, environmentally friendly religious artefacts with superior mechanical strength and good aesthetic value.