Assessment of geometrical defects caused by thermal distortions in laser-beam-melting additive manufacturing: a simulation approach

摘要

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a numerical approach inspired by Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) standards for the assessment of geometrical defects appearing during Additive Manufacturing (AM) by Laser Beam Melting (LBM). Design/methodology/approach The study is based on finite element (FE) simulations of thermal distortions, then an assessment of flatness defects (warping induced by the high-residual stresses appearing during the manufacturing) from the deformed surfaces provided by simulation, and finally the correction of the calculated flatness defects from preliminary comparison between simulated and experimental data. Findings For an elementary geometrical feature (a wall), it was possible to identify the variation in the flatness defect as a function of the dimensions. For a complex geometry exhibiting a significant flatness defect, it was possible to improve the geometric quality using the numerical tool.