124: Optimization and Characterization of 3D-Printed Probes for Food Texture Analysis

Introduction

Texture is an important sensory attribute that is critical to a product’s perception and acceptance. However, commercial texture analyzer probes, usually made from stainless steel or high-performance plastics, start at over a hundred dollars each and can cost thousands for more complex geometries. Such expenses can limit research to only a few common tests, possibly hindering advancements in food texture studies. This research investigates the potential of 3D-printed texture probes as a cost-effective alternative for application in food texture analysis.

Methods

In this research, cylindrical probes of 7 mm diameter were 3D printed using Stereolithography (SLA) and Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) techniques. The resin blend for SLA was modified by increasing the proportion of tough resin (0%, 10%, and 20%). For FDM probes, variations included four infill geometries (cube, gyroid, linear, and triangle), four infill densities (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%), and two layer heights (0.1 mm and 0.2 mm). A total of 35 probes were created and tested against a commercial stainless-steel probe.

The probes were evaluated using puncture test on agar gels and chocolate ganache of varying hardness, with texture parameters including peak force, positive area under the curve, area to absolute positive force, and gradient to absolute positive force. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, compressive strength, and dimensional accuracy were also assessed.

Results

Results demonstrated that most 3D-printed probes performed comparably to the stainless-steel standard. Probes printed with a 0.2 mm layer height exhibited higher accuracy and closer alignment with the stainless-steel standard. Low infill density was also found to reduce accuracy but did not significantly impact overall performance. However, the performance of 3D-printed probes decreased with higher-strength samples, indicating limitations in their application for very rigid materials.

Significance

This study highlights the potential of 3D-printed probes as cost-effective and practical alternatives to commercial probes while also exploring the limitations of 3D printing in achieving probe accuracy. These findings can help expand the usage of 3D-printed probes in texture analysis, particularly for applications requiring custom or intricate designs.

Authors: Robina Rai, George Cavender