Singapore: Researchers Study Effects of Spatter in Large-Scale SLM Printing http://bit.ly/2Pc4enB Ahmad Anwar, thesis student at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, explores undesired byproducts of 3D printing in ‘Large scale selective laser melting : study of the effects and removal of spatter by the inert gas flow.’ The topic of spatter is usually considered in regard to imperfections, but here Anwar explores such issues in connection with fabrication on the larger scale too—a necessary method that results in hardware of increasing sizes so that larger parts can be made. Large scale selective laser sintering can be restricted by powder weight, along with other features such as the number of lasers, and powder bed area. For successful SLM printing, Anwar states that the study of spatter particles is necessary. Spatter is notable due to its size and darker color, and effect on 3D printed layers—along with inducing porosity. The goal of the research study was to find out more about effects of spatter on the manufactured parts, analyze how they impacted mechanical properties, and simulate the activity of spatter in 3D printing during inert gas flow. Anwar also studied ‘suitable ejection profiles,’ as well as what performance would be like without any inert gas flow at all. The researchers used an SLM Solutions 280 HK machine for their experiments and chose argon as the gas of choice for exploring spatter.”
The researchers set up a camera to monitor spatter and then processed them for comparison with the mass distribution characteristics. As Anwar explains, spatter usually occurs during any SLM printing process as such particles are ejected and often accumulating near processing regions or the powder bed. The volume of spatter is also dependent on energy output like:
Higher energy input resulted in larger spatter, increased scattering, and greater jetting height. As the researchers experimented with methods to reduce the spatter, they pumped gas into the chamber:
The researchers collected 15 samples of spatter, with each one measured and evaluated after being scooped from a deposit area near the outlet.
Simulations were performed to analyze how gas crossflow contributes to moving spatter away from laser-scanned regions. Argon gas was not substantially impressive in removing spatter to the outlet. The researchers also found that increasing gas flow velocity did not reduce the number of particles in the powder bed.
Almost as soon as we realized the miraculous potential of 3D printing and the infinite choices for innovation before us, it was time to start critiquing and improving—and just as the technology is based on a layer by layer approach, its continued progress has been made with one improvement mounting on another. Flaws in 3D printing must be addressed, however, as many parts are relied on for strength and functionality. The study of spatter is important in trying to reduce or eliminate any defects. In other studies, researchers have studied ejecta and its role in causing imperfections, other types of spatter, and have even set up high-speed cameras to study 3D printing in situ. Find out more about the impact of spatter in large scale selective laser melting here. [Source / Images: ‘ Large scale selective laser melting : study of the effects and removal of spatter by the inert gas flow’] Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://3dprint.com April 15, 2019 at 02:34PM
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