Study of 3D-printed honeycomb orientation on vibration energy harvesting

Yong, Nicholas T.; Hoo, Choon L.

doi:10.30772/qjes.2025.165746.1764

	Study of 3D-printed honeycomb orientation on vibration energy harvesting
Al-Qadisiyah Journal for Engineering Sciences
Article 1, Volume 19, Issue 2, June 2026, Pages 164-169 PDF (8.56 M)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.30772/qjes.2025.165746.1764
Authors
Nicholas T. Yong¹^{, 2}; Choon L. Hoo^* ³
¹School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, 62200 Putrajaya, Malaysia.
²ARRK Asia, Block E-10-01, Oasis Ara Damansara, Jalan PJU 1A/7, Ara Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
³School of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, Malaysia.
Abstract
With the advances in technology, sustainable renewable energy implementation in many applications is becoming important, such as in wireless sensors. Vibration energy harvesting can convert environmental mechanical vibration into useful energy. Honeycomb core structure has shown promising results in cantilever dynamic vibration. However, there is a limited study on its structural variation. This research focuses on different beam thicknesses and angle orientations of 3D-printed hexagonal core structures to improve vibrational cantilever energy harvesting. The beam thickness was studied at 4 mm, 6 mm, and 8 mm with a re-oriented honeycomb core at 0° and 30°. The test rig was modelled as a mass-spring system. The model was simulated for modal analysis and power generation with piezoelectric. The natural frequencies and vibration amplitudes were compared between simulation and experimentation with a vibrational shaker machine and a data acquisition device. The results showed that the 30° honeycomb core has better dynamical amplitudes and energy harvesting as compared to the conventional 0° honeycomb core beam. The different beam thicknesses affect the beam stiffness and, therefore, vary the vibrational amplitude and generated power. The 30° core with lower thickness was found to have the highest power generation due to the better distribution of stress along the beam.
Keywords
Hexagonal; Fused Deposition Modeling; Cantilever Beam; Thickness; Natural Frequency

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