scholarly journals Application of Vacuum Techniques in Shell Moulds Produced by Additive Manufacturing

Metals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1090
Author(s):  
P. Rodríguez-González ◽  
P. E. Robles Valero ◽  
A. I. Fernández-Abia ◽  
M. A. Castro-Sastre ◽  
J. Barreiro García
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Dimensional Accuracy ◽  
Filling Process ◽  
Critical Aspect ◽  
Entire Surface ◽  
Vacuum Suction ◽  
Staircase Effect ◽  
Gas Entrapment ◽  
Binder Jetting

This research shows the feasibility of the additive manufacturing technique (AM), Binder Jetting (BJ), for the production of shell moulds, which are filled by vacuum suction in the field of aluminium parts production. In addition, this study compares the gravity pouring technique and highlights the advantages of using vacuum techniques in AM moulds. A numerical simulation was carried out to study the behaviour of the liquid metal inside the moulds and the cooling rate of parts was analysed. The results show that in the gravity-pouring mould, the velocity in the gate causes moderate turbulence with small waves. However, vacuum suction keeps the velocity constant by eliminating waves and the filling process is homogeneous. Regarding dimensional accuracy, the staircase effect on the surface of the 3D moulds was the most critical aspect. The vacuum provides very homogeneous values of roughness across the entire surface of the part. Similarly, 3D scanning of castings revealed more accurate dimensions thanks to the help of vacuum forces. Finally, the microstructure of the cross section of the moulded parts shows that the porosity decreases with the vacuum filled. In both cases, the origin of the pores corresponds to gas entrapment and shrinkage during the filling process, the binder vaporization and nucleation points creation, leading to pores by shrinkage, gas entrapment or a mixture of both. This is the first study that uses vacuum filling techniques in moulds created by BJ, demonstrating the feasibility and advantages of AM using vacuum techniques, as an alternative to traditional casting.

scholarly journals Feasibility of Calcium Sulfate Moulds Made by Inkjet 3D Printing for Rapid Casting of Aluminium Alloys

Metals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Rodríguez-González ◽  
Pablo Eduardo Robles Valero ◽  
Ana Isabel Fernández-Abia ◽  
María Ángeles Castro-Sastre ◽  
Joaquín Barreiro García
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Aluminium Alloys ◽  
Casting Process ◽  
Sand Casting ◽  
Filling Process ◽  
Critical Aspect ◽  
Dimensional Precision ◽  
Filling System ◽  
Staircase Effect ◽  
Design Freedom

In this research, a comparative analysis has been carried out between a traditional sand casting process and a modern mould obtained by additive manufacturing (AM), in the context of aluminium parts production. In this case of AM, an inkjet 3D printing (3DP) process allowed us to create a ceramic mould. A numerical simulation was carried out to study the filling and cooling rates of both parts. The design freedom typical of the 3DP technique allowed us to optimize the filling system. The results showed that in sand moulding, the speed in the gate suddenly increased when the liquid metal entered the part cavity, leading to severe turbulence due to the fountain effect. The input of air is related to the speed in the gate. Nevertheless, the results showed that when using the 3DP mould, the speed in the gate remained constant and the filling process was homogenous. With regard to the dimensional precision, while the staircase effect in the surface of the 3DP mould is the most critical aspect to control, in the sand casting mould the critical aspect is the dimensional precision of the pattern. Microstructures of the cross-section of the moulded parts showed folded shapes and air input in sand casting, which could be produced by the severe turbulence and the oxide film present in the melt during the filling process. On the other hand, the porosity found in parts produced with the 3DP mould corresponds to shrinkage; during the filling process, the remaining binder is vaporized, creating nucleation points. In this way, pores are formed by shrinkage and a mixture of shrinkage and gas entrapment. With these considerations, it can be concluded that AM shows feasibility and advantages as an alternative to the sand casting method for aluminium alloys.

Binder Jetting Additive Manufacturing of Metals: A Literature Review

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Li ◽  
Wenchao Du ◽  
Alaa Elwany ◽  
Zhijian Pei ◽  
Chao Ma
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Dimensional Accuracy ◽  
Binding Agent ◽  
Metal Part ◽  
Spreading Process ◽  
Powder Bed ◽  
The Past ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Binder Jetting ◽  
Two Parameter

Abstract Binder jetting, also known as 3D printing, is an additive manufacturing (AM) technology utilizing a liquid-based binding agent to selectively join the material in a powder bed. It is capable of manufacturing complex-shaped parts with a variety of materials. This paper provides an overview of binder jetting of metals with a discussion about the knowledge gaps and research opportunities. The review deals with two parameter categories in terms of the material and process and their impacts. The achieved density, dimensional accuracy, and mechanical strength are summarized and analyzed. Further in-depth consideration of densification is discussed corresponding to various attributes of the packing, printing, and sintering behaviors. Though binder jetting has attracted increasing attention in the past several years, this fabrication process is not well studied. The understanding of powder spreading process and binder-powder interaction is crucial to the development of binder jetting but insufficient. In addition, the lack of investigation on the mechanical behavior of binder jetting metal part restricts the actualization of its wide-range applications.

Characteristics of Rotary Draw-Bent Tubes for the Hydroforming

2011 ◽  
Vol 213 ◽  
pp. 320-324
Author(s):  
Byeong Don Joo ◽  
Jeong Hwan Jang ◽  
Hyun Jong Lee ◽  
Young Hoon Moon
Keyword(s):  
Cross Section ◽  
Structural Strength ◽  
Dimensional Accuracy ◽  
Thickness Variation ◽  
Important Process ◽  
Rotary Draw Bending ◽  
Higher Dimensional ◽  
Bending Process ◽  
Geometric Size ◽  
Draw Bending

Hydroformed parts have higher dimensional accuracy, structural strength, and dimensional repeatability. The pre-bending process is an important process for the successful hydroforming in the case where the perimeter of the blank is nearly the same as that of final product. At initial pre-bending stage, the variations of wall thickness and cross-section have effects on the accuracy of final products and quality. Because of a relatively excellent productive velocity, geometric size precision and reliance of product qualities, rotary draw bending is widely used. This study shows the bendability such as cross-section ovality, springback ratio and thickness variation in the various conditions of materials.

scholarly journals Effect of Particle Size Distribution on Powder Packing and Sintering in Binder Jetting Additive Manufacturing of Metals

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Bai ◽  
Grady Wagner ◽  
Christopher B. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Large Degree ◽  
Full Density ◽  
Powder Particle Size ◽  
Powder Mixtures ◽  
Fine Powders ◽  
Sintering Shrinkage ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Binder Jetting

The binder jetting additive manufacturing (AM) process provides an economical and scalable means of fabricating complex parts from a wide variety of materials. While it is often used to fabricate metal parts, it is typically challenging to fabricate full density parts without large degree of sintering shrinkage. This can be attributed to the inherently low green density and the constraint on powder particle size imposed by challenges in recoating fine powders. To address this issue, the authors explored the use of bimodal powder mixtures in the context of binder jetting of copper. A variety of bimodal powder mixtures of various particle diameters and mixing ratios were printed and sintered to study the impact of bimodal mixtures on the parts' density and shrinkage. It was discovered that, compared to parts printed with monosized fine powders, the use of bimodal powder mixtures improves the powder's packing density (8.2%) and flowability (10.5%), and increases the sintered density (4.0%) while also reducing the sintering shrinkage (6.4%).

In Implementing a Metal 3D AM Machine

2018 ◽  
Vol 786 ◽  
pp. 356-363
Author(s):  
Tero Jokelainen ◽  
Kimmo Mäkelä ◽  
Aappo Mustakangas ◽  
Jari Mäkelä ◽  
Kari Mäntyjärvi
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Dimensional Accuracy ◽  
Acceptance Test ◽  
Aisi 316L ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Geometrical Accuracy ◽  
Machine Performance ◽  
Geometrical Features ◽  
Made In

Additive Manufacturing (AM) does not yet have a standardized way to measure performance. Here a AM machines dimensional accuracy is measured trough acceptance test (AT) and AM machines capability is tested trough test parts. Test parts are created with specific geometrical features using a 3D AM machine. Performance of the machine is then evaluated trough accuracy of test parts geometry. AM machine here uses selective laser melting (SLM) process. This machine has done Factory acceptance test (FAT) to ascertain this machine ́s geometrical accuracy with material AISI 316L. Manufacturer promises accuracy of ±0.05 mm. These parts are used as comparison to AT parts made in this study. After installation two AT parts are manufactured with AM machine. One with AISI 316L and one AlSi10Mg. Dimensional accuracy of geometrical features on these parts are then compared to FAT part and to one another. Machines capability is measured trough two test parts done with material AlSi10Mg. Two of the test parts are done at the same time using same model as the FAT. Parts are printed without supports and with features facing same directions. Features of these parts were then evaluated. Another test to find out AM machines capability was to create part consisting of pipes doing 90˚ angle resulting in horizontal and vertical holes. Dimensional accuracy and circularity of holes was measured. Through these tests machines capability is benchmarked.

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