Point, surface and volumetric heat sources in the thermal modelling of selective laser melting

Yabin Yang*, Can Ayas

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)
57 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Selective laser melting (SLM) is a powder based additive manufacturing technique suitable for producing high precision metal parts. However, distortions and residual stresses within products arise during SLM because of the high temperature gradients created by the laser heating. Residual stresses limit the load resistance of the product and may even lead to fracture during the built process. It is therefore of paramount importance to predict the level of part distortion and residual stress as a function of SLM process parameters which requires a reliable thermal modelling of the SLM process. Consequently, a key question arises which is how to describe the laser source appropriately. Reasonable simplification of the laser representation is crucial for the computational efficiency of the thermal model of the SLM process. In this paper, first a semi-analytical thermal modelling approach is described. Subsequently, the laser heating is modelled using point, surface and volumetric sources, in order to compare the influence of different laser source geometries on the thermal history prediction of the thermal model. The present work provides guidelines on appropriate representation of the laser source in the thermal modelling of the SLM process.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 20th International ESAFORM Conference on Material Forming (ESAFORM 2017)
EditorsDermot Brabazon, Sumsun Naher, Inam Ul Ahad
Place of PublicationMelville, NY, USA
PublisherAIP Publishing
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)978-0-7354-1580-5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017
EventESAFORM 2017: 20th International ESAFORM Conference on Material Forming - Dublin, Ireland
Duration: 26 Apr 201728 Apr 2017

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Number1
Volume1896
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Conference

ConferenceESAFORM 2017: 20th International ESAFORM Conference on Material Forming
Country/TerritoryIreland
CityDublin
Period26/04/1728/04/17

Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • Laser applications

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