scholarly journals Analysis of Density, Roughness, and Accuracy of the Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing (ADAM) Process for Metal Parts

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 4122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Galati ◽  
Paolo Minetola

Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing (ADAM) is a recent layer-wise process patented by Markforged for metals based on material extrusion. ADAM can be classified as an indirect additive manufacturing process in which a filament of metal powder encased in a plastic binder is used. After the fabrication of a green part, the plastic binder is removed by the post-treatments of washing and sintering (frittage). The aim of this work is to provide a preliminary characterisation of the ADAM process using Markforged Metal X, the unique system currently available on the market. Particularly, the density of printed 17-4 PH material is investigated, varying the layer thickness and the sample size. The dimensional accuracy of the ADAM process is evaluated using the ISO IT grades of a reference artefact. Due to the deposition strategy, the final density of the material results in being strongly dependent on the layer thickness and the size of the sample. The density of the material is low if compared to the material processed by powder bed AM processes. The superficial roughness is strongly dependent upon the layer thickness, but higher than that of other metal additive manufacturing processes because of the use of raw material in the filament form. The accuracy of the process achieves the IT13 grade that is comparable to that of traditional processes for the production of semi-finished metal parts.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mattia Mele ◽  
Giampaolo Campana ◽  
Gian Luca Monti

Purpose The amount of radiated energy is known to be a crucial parameter in powder-bed additive manufacturing (AM) processes. The role of irradiance in the multijet fusion (MJF) process has not been addressed by any previous research, despite the key role of this process in the AM industry. The aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between irradiance and dimensional accuracy in MJF. Design/methodology/approach An experimental activity was carried out to map the relationship between irradiance and dimensional accuracy in the MJF transformation of polyamide 12. Two specimens were used to measure the dimensional accuracy on medium and small sizes. The experiment was run using six different levels of irradiance. For each, the crystallinity degree and part density were measured. Findings Irradiance was found to be directly proportional to part density and inversely proportional to crystallinity degree. Higher irradiance leads to an increase in the measured dimensions of parts. This highlights a predominant role of the crystallisation degree and uncontrolled peripherical sintering, in line with the previous literature on other powder-bed AM processes. The results demonstrate that different trends can be observed according to the range of sizes.


2021 ◽  
pp. 250-265
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Dennies ◽  
S. Lampman

Abstract This article provides an overview of metal additive manufacturing (AM) processes and describes sources of failures in metal AM parts. It focuses on metal AM product failures and potential solutions related to design considerations, metallurgical characteristics, production considerations, and quality assurance. The emphasis is on the design and metallurgical aspects for the two main types of metal AM processes: powder-bed fusion (PBF) and directed-energy deposition (DED). The article also describes the processes involved in binder jet sintering, provides information on the design and fabrication sources of failure, addresses the key factors in production and quality control, and explains failure analysis of AM parts.


Author(s):  
Xuewei Fang ◽  
Jun Du ◽  
Zhengying Wei ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
Pengfei He ◽  
...  

Fused-coating based metal additive manufacturing (FCAM) is a newly established direct metal forming process. This method is characterized by deposition metal materials in a crucible and under the driving pressure the molten metal is extruded out from a special designed nozzle. Hence, dense metal parts with different kind of materials can be built on the moving substrate layer by layer. It provides a method to fabricate metal components with lower costs, clean and cheap materials compared with other AM processes. To study the feasibility of this new AM methodology, an experimental system with a molten metal stream generator, a fused-coating nozzle, a process monitor unit, an inert atmosphere protection unit and a temperature measurement unit has been established. In order to determine the proper parameters in the building process, a metal fused-coating heat transfer model analysis and experimental study is performed by using Sn63-37Pb alloy in building three-dimensional components. The process parameters that may affect fabrication are molten and substrate temperature, layer thickness, the substrate-speed, the temperature of substrate, the distance between the nozzle and substrate and the pressure. Microscopy images were used to investigate the metallurgical bonding between layers. The influence of different parameters on the layer thickness and width was studied quantitatively. At last, the optimal parameter was used to fabricate complex metal parts to demonstrate the feasibility of this new technology compared with other AM methods.


2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Schmelzle ◽  
Eric V. Kline ◽  
Corey J. Dickman ◽  
Edward W. Reutzel ◽  
Griffin Jones ◽  
...  

Additive manufacturing (AM) of metallic parts provides engineers with unprecedented design freedom. This enables designers to consolidate assemblies, lightweight designs, create intricate internal geometries for enhanced fluid flow or heat transfer performance, and fabricate complex components that previously could not be manufactured. While these design benefits may come “free” in many cases, it necessitates an understanding of the limitations and capabilities of the specific AM process used for production, the system-level design intent, and the postprocessing and inspection/qualification implications. Unfortunately, design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) guidelines for metal AM processes are nascent given the rapid advancements in metal AM technology recently. In this paper, we present a case study to provide insight into the challenges that engineers face when redesigning a multicomponent assembly into a single component fabricated using laser-based powder bed fusion for metal AM. In this case, part consolidation is used to reduce the weight by 60% and height by 53% of a multipart assembly while improving performance and minimizing leak points. Fabrication, postprocessing, and inspection issues are also discussed along with the implications on design. A generalized design approach for consolidating parts is presented to help designers realize the freedoms that metal AM provides, and numerous areas for investigation to improve DfAM are also highlighted and illustrated throughout the case study.


Author(s):  
Lei Zhou ◽  
Yi Zhu ◽  
Huayong Yang

Abstract Selective laser melting (SLM) or laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), is one type of metal additive manufacturing (AM) technology which is efficient in producing lightweight hydraulic components. However, the fabricating quality is poor when flow channels are built horizontally on the substrate due to residual stress on the large overhang region. Large surface roughness and dimensional error occurs which greatly affect friction factor but not studied. In this work, fluid channels with various diameters were built using SLM. The surface roughness and profile were characterized. Friction factor was then measured using a customed test rig. Results indicate that SLM fabricated fluid passages have high and uneven roughness and dimensional accuracy is poor. A new friction factor model was developed which can be used to calculate pressure loss in a SLM fabricated fluid channels.


Author(s):  
Paul Witherell ◽  
Shaw Feng ◽  
Timothy W. Simpson ◽  
David B. Saint John ◽  
Pan Michaleris ◽  
...  

In this paper, we advocate for a more harmonized approach to model development for additive manufacturing (AM) processes, through classification and metamodeling that will support AM process model composability, reusability, and integration. We review several types of AM process models and use the direct metal powder bed fusion AM process to provide illustrative examples of the proposed classification and metamodel approach. We describe how a coordinated approach can be used to extend modeling capabilities by promoting model composability. As part of future work, a framework is envisioned to realize a more coherent strategy for model development and deployment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 166 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-13
Author(s):  
Christopher Neil Hulme-Smith ◽  
Vignesh Hari ◽  
Pelle Mellin

AbstractThe spreading of powders into thin layers is a critical step in powder bed additive manufacturing, but there is no accepted technique to test it. There is not even a metric that can be used to describe spreading behaviour. A robust, image-based measurement procedure has been developed and can be implemented at modest cost and with minimal training. The analysis is automated to derive quantitative information about the characteristics of the spread layer. The technique has been demonstrated for three powders to quantify their spreading behaviour as a function of layer thickness and spreading speed.


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