Prediction of Temperature Gradient on Selective Laser Melting (SLM) Part Using 3-Dimensional Finite Element Method

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) or known as 3D printing is a direct digital manufacturing process where a 3D part can be produced, layer by layer from 3D digital data with no use of conventional machining and casting. AM has developed over the last 10 years and has showed significant improvement in cost reduction of critical component. This can be demonstrated through reduced material waste, improved design freedom and reduced post processing. Modeling the AM process provides an important insight into physical phenomena that lead to improve final material properties and product quality and predict the final workpiece characteristics It’s very challenging to measure the temperature gradient due to the transient nature and small size of molten pool on SLM. A 3-dimensional finite element model has been developed to simulate multilayer deposition to predict temperature gradient on melting pool of stainless steel, as well as a review of different models used to simulate the selective laser melting is given.