Selective Laser Melting process simulation of open lattice cellular materials

Abstract

In the present paper an efficient simulation of an Additive Manufacturing process is presented. The analysis is aiming to quantify the relations between process parameters and material characteristics. The methodology is demonstrated in the fabrication of an open-lattice Body- Centred-Cubic (BCC) cellular core, produced by means of the Additive Manufacturing Selective Laser Melting method. The results of the developed finite element model are compared to experimental results demonstrating a successful validation of the simulation methodology. The results of the present simulation can be used as input for the prediction of the mechanical properties of the cellular materials under investigation.