The present paper focuses on the configuration possibilities of post -processor influencing mechanical properties of a given test sample produced by the FDM printer from different materials. The research consists of assessing the composite material configurations through a static tensile test conducted on 80 samples produced. The samples were produced based on ISO 527-2 standard, type 1A, with a horizontal position and a layer height of 0.2 mm. The individual samples consisted of four basic groups of materials—the pure Polylactic acid (PLA) plastic (reference sample), and three composite samples with admixtures—PLA matrix with a copper admixture, PLA matrix with an iron admixture, and PLA matrix with a steel admixture. The static tensile test was conducted at a test speed of 5 mm/min. During the research, reference samples (pure PLA) were assessed in five orientations. Samples made of the PLA composite materials with admixtures were manufactured, tested, and evaluated only in the 0° orientation. The paper concludes by comparing the results of measurement with the original material, free from additives, and with the researched influence of the orientation of the prints on the resulting mechanical properties of shear samples and their surface structure. In the conducted experiments, the lowest tensile strength has been demonstrated in test samples the orbital transitions and the upper surface layers of which were parallel to the infill.

The production of automotive products from polymeric materials represents operations associated with the flow of material during its shaping to the desired final mold. The technological aspects of the processing of polymeric materials are closely related to the rheological properties. The article deals with adding technological waste from production to virgin material and its influence on rheological or flow properties of selected polymer composite. The analyzed material is used in the manufacture of components (connectors) in the automotive industry. The rheological properties were measured in two stages. In the first stage, rheological properties were assessed in the short term immediately after preparation of the test samples. In the second stage, half of the samples were exposed to elevated temperature and the effect of aging on the rheological properties of the material was monitored. Based on measured MVR values before exposure to elevated temperature, it can be said that the amount of process waste does not significantly affect the flow properties of the polymer. After exposure to elevated temperature, there is a significant decrease in polymer flow properties probably due to the crystallization of the macromolecular chain.