Densification of alumina components via indirect selective laser sintering combined with isostatic pressing

To improve the final density of ceramic parts via indirect selective laser sintering (SLS), cold/hot isostatic pressing (CIP/HIP) technologies were introduced into the process. The proposed approach in the present study combined spray drying with mechanical mixing by which we prepared a kind of compound powder consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, 1.5 wt%), epoxy resin E06 (8 wt%), and alumina so as to get a good fluidity for SLS. At the first step, SLS parts reached the highest relative density of about 32 % when the laser energy density was 0.094 J/mm², which facilitated the next operation and improvement of final density. Then, a soft polymer canning was prepared for CIP around the surface of SLS alumina ceramic parts using pre-vulcanized natural rubber latex RTV-2, gelation and film. Following that, we experimented on different CIP maximum pressure which had different effects on densification of SLS alumina parts, the whole process in CIP was divided into three stages of I, II, and III. Based on thermal gravity curve of epoxy resin E06, ignoring the impacts of the only 1.5 wt% PVA on degreasing, green bodies were degreased and furnace-sintered. Finally, the relative density of alumina parts reached 95.94 % after HIP process. Field emission scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the densification evolvement in each stage of process and the fracture mechanism. The study showed a positive and practical approach to manufacture ceramic matrix and ceramic components with complex shape by indirect SLS technology.     

Research on manufacturing Cu matrix Fe-Cu-Ni-C alloy composite parts by indirect selective laser sintering

The property of alloy parts can be adjusted conveniently if alloy element powders are used for manufacturing alloy parts by indirect selective laser sintering (SLS), but there have been no reports in this field. Fe, Cu, Ni, C composite powders of two compositions were obtained through a 3D blending way in this paper. Green parts of above composite powder were manufactured by indirect SLS. Then, Cu matrix Fe-Cu-Ni-C alloy composites were produced after green parts had been depolymerized, high temperature sintered and infiltrated by molten Cu. The post-processing of green parts, microstructure and mechanical properties of alloy composites were investigated. The results show: Ni, Cu and C diffuse into γ-Fe when green parts are being sintered at high temperature and the distributing non-uniformity of alloy elements is eliminated basically; at room temperature, alloy composite microstructures are composed of lower bainite, α-Cu precipitated out of γ-Fe and Fe-Ni after they have been solution treated at 930°C and held at 350°C for 1 h later; the yield strength of alloy composites is near to 400 MPa and the elongation is under 3%. It can be used for manufacturing injection mold or other functional parts by indirect SLS.     

Investigation into manufacturing injection mold via indirect selective laser sintering

Cooling system of an injection mold is important for the promotion of production rate and the quality of injection plastic components. Conformal cooling channels are newly developed temperature-adjusting method to promote the efficiency of cooling system. They can be made in the injection mold inserts via the method of indirect selective laser sintering combined with traditional powder metallurgy. This work discussed some processes such as thermal transmission, powders removing, and metal melt infiltration during the manufacturing of the mold inserts in detail. The result showed that redundant powders outside of laser-scanned areas might be sintered together with the sintered parts owing to the accumulation of laser energy during sintering process. This was solved by switching the temperature to initial level after one layer had been sintered. A limit length corresponding to some certain power vacuum system was found when the removal of unsintered powders in the cooling channels was carried out. Therefore, some subsidiary channels leading the cooling channels outside were made to help the removal of powders within the cooling channels. Dripping method was adopted during metal melt infiltration process, which was proven to be relevant for maintaining of the final shape of infiltrated inserts.     

Friction and wear behaviour of rapid prototype parts by direct metal laser sintering

Abstract

Rapid prototyping and manufacturing (RP/M) is one of the proven tools for product development owing to its advantages such as short product cycle, high quality product and possibility of fabricating functionally gradient materials. Several RP/M techniques do exist. Among them, direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) method is quite popular as near net shape components with high dimensional accuracies can be manufactured. Meager information is available as regards the tribological behaviour of laser built parts, although this is vital in judging the suitability of built-up parts for applications where sliding is inevitable. In the light of the above, the present investigation is aimed at building parts by DMLS technique of RP/M using 50 μm iron powder and characterising its density, microstructure, microhardness, tensile strength, friction and wear behaviour under sliding conditions. The effect of laser speed on the above properties of built-up parts has been studied. The build layer thickness was maintained at 50 μm. Laser diameter of 0˙4 mm, laser power of 180 W and hatch spacing of 0˙2 mm were adopted. However, the laser speed was varied from 50 to 125 mm s^–1 in steps of 25 mm s^–1. Laser speed had a profound influence on density, microstructure, microhardness, tensile strength, friction and wear behaviour of built-up parts. Lesser laser speed resulted in higher density, microhardness, tensile strength and wear resistance while higher laser speed promoted lowering of coefficient of friction.     

Surface microgeometry after selective laser sintering of metal powder

A multifactorial model is proposed for the surface microgeometry after selective laser sintering of metal powder. The dependence of the microgeometry on the following dominant factors is established: the laser power, the speed of the laser beam, and the scanning increment.     

金属粉末选择性激光烧结技术研究进展

选择性激光烧结技术是一种新型的制造技术,是对传统制造技术的重要补充。系统论述金属粉末激光烧结技术的国内外发展现状进行,介绍了间接法和直接法两种典型的金属粉末激光烧结技术,总结了目前该领域中所取得的成果及存在问题,并对金属粉末激光烧结技术的发展进行了展望。     

Microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of functionally graded PA12/HDPE parts by selective laser sintering

The use of selective laser sintering in the production of functional gradient materials offers advantages, as freeform construction and localized control of the composition and process parameters, compared to other rapid manufacturing processes. In this work, selective laser sintering was used for manufacturing three-dimensional parts in functionally graded polymer blends based on polyamide 12 and high-density polyethylene with gradient composition in two directions (Y and Z). Test specimens were prepared in PA12/HDPE ratios of 0/100, 20/80, 50/50, 80/20 and 100/0 (w/w). These specimens were assessed in terms of density, microstructure by scanning electron microscopy and polarized light microscopy and mechanical performance by DMA. The sintered binary blend systems with composition gradient showed microstructure and properties variation as function of the blend compositions. The results demonstrated the potential of selective laser sintering to manufacture advanced polymeric functional gradient material parts.     

Manufacturing of multi-functional micro parts by two-component metal injection moulding

Several metals and alloys can be used to enhance the mechanical and physical properties of micro parts and components for micromechanical, micro-chemical or sensor applications. Such parts can be produced in series by the powder metallurgical process of micro metal injection moulding (μ-MIM). This paper describes a novel manufacturing route for metallic multi-material micro components, two-component micro metal injection moulding (2C-μ-MIM). Similar to “two-colour” injection moulding of plastics, the process allows the integration of multiple functions in a micro part by simultaneously injecting and joining two materials in one mould. Net-shape parts with solid material interfaces are obtained. In this paper, the 2C-μ-MIM process is exemplified for the combination of a non-magnetic and a ferromagnetic stainless steel (316 L and 17-4PH). It is shown that intact material interfaces of less than 500×500 μm² can be achieved by careful selection and tailoring of metal powders, injection moulding and co-sintering parameters.     

基于正交实验的多孔金属激光烧结成型工艺的研究

文章介绍了正交实验设计法的特点及其对实验研究的科学指导作用。正交实验设计法可以用少数几个代表性的实验代表全面实验。采用正交试验设计和直观分析的方法,对影响激光烧结多孔金属的各因素进行研究,从而找出了最佳工艺参数。     

Micro channel forming with ultra thin metallic foil by cold isostatic pressing

The objective of this study is to establish the limit of the metal forming process in terms of size and accuracy. In the present investigation, micro channel forming with ultra thin metallic foil by the sheet metal forming process was studied. In order to examine the fabrication limit of the process, both the channel size needed to be as small as possible and the sheet thickness to be as thin as possible. Copper foil 1.0 μm thick was made into 5.6 μm wide and 3.2 μm deep channels. The shapes of the channels were straight line, concentric circle, cross, and other curved shapes. Forming was done by cold isostatic pressing. Single crystal silicon wafer was used as the die material, and die grooves were made by micro machining techniques. The die, metallic foil, and plasticine as the pressure-transmitting medium were vacuum packed in a bag made of multilayered film. The forming was conducted with a cold hydrostatic press where the forming pressure was 240 MPa. The formed channels were examined in terms of their dimensions and surface qualities. Based on the examinations, channel formability was also discussed.     

选择性激光烧结主要成型材料的研究进展

简要介绍了选择性激光烧结的原理以及特点,比较和分析了几种选择性激光烧结主要成型材料的特点和国内外的研究现状,展望了选择性激光烧结材料的展前景.     

Customized UHMWPE tibial insert directly fabricated by selective laser sintering

Life cycle assessment (LCA), as an assessment tool for environmental performance, is used widely in decision making of product design. However, apparently, it is not sufficient to make final decision only depending on environmental assessment results for profit-directed organizations. One of the main purposes of this paper is to propose a methodology for integration of LCA and economic analysis tool-life cycle costing (LCC) in order to get the integrated evaluation results. A framework of integration of LCA and LCC has been introduced, which is contained by four components: the definition of unity time and physical boundaries, integration of inventory analysis, integration of impact assessment, environmental and economic interpretation. However, the integrated evaluation results always indicate that the relationship between economic and environmental performance is not in balance. Optimization is as important as integration to eco-balance. An optimization method is proposed to improve the initial product design with maximizing the integrated environmental and economic benefit for mechanical product. In optimization step, product system is divided two parts with environmental subsystem and economic subsystem. The integrated evaluation results are adopted to support for the optimization. Some mathematic optimization models are set up for environmental and economic subsystems. Multidisciplinary design optimization is applied to optimize these models so that the initial mechanical product design can achieve the best environmental and economic performance result. A case study of type 4135G diesel engine is presented to validate the rationality and feasibility.     

The effects of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and solubilization heat treatment on the density,mechanical properties,and microstructure of austenitic stainless steel parts produced by selective laser melting (SLM)

Despite ongoing optimization, selective laser melting (SLM) technology still cannot guarantee the production of completely defect-free components. This wor     

Performance of sinking EDM electrodes made by selective laser sintering technique

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a nonconventional machining process widely applied for the manufacture of intricate shapes in hard materials which are not easily machined by conventional machining processes. The production of geometrically complex EDM electrodes is difficult, time consuming, and it can account for about 50 % of the total process costs. Selective laser sintering (SLS) can be an alternative technique to produce EDM electrodes in a faster way. This work conducted an experimental study on the performance of EDM electrodes made by SLS using pure copper, bronze–nickel alloy, copper/bronze–nickel alloy, and steel alloy powders. Important EDM performance measures such as material removal rate and volumetric relative wear were investigated and discussed for finishing, semifinish, and roughing regimes. This work contributes with an insight into the production of EDM electrodes via selective laser sintering, as an alternative technique to conventional machining processes, as well as to evaluate the performance of the electrodes, and also provide directions for future research on this field.     

激光选区熔化成型可控超轻结构化零件的孔隙生成效果

本文主要研究了孔隙率等参数可控的自动超轻结构化金属零件的增材制造。以方块零件及一个具有复杂外形的零件为研究对象,分析了面向激光选区熔化工艺的可控超轻结构化零件的孔隙生成效果,重点探讨了成型工艺对超轻结构化零件孔隙率的影响。结果显示:通过计算机数值计算,可将方块CAD模型快速自动转化为可控超轻结构化模型,计算孔隙率误差可控制在±2%以内;激光深穿透现象会导致带悬垂面内壁的壁厚增加,所引起的孔隙率误差值为负值,且计算孔隙率越大,负值倾向越严重;而成型工艺性不致密导致的孔隙率误差为正值,且在相同工艺条件下,计算孔隙率越大,该误差值越小。故为使总孔隙率误差能较好地反映超轻结构网格孔隙的控制精度,应提高成型时实体部分的致密性。按45%设定孔隙率成功地将具有复杂结构的零件转化为计算孔隙率为44.62%的超轻结构化模型,采用高致密性激光选区熔化工艺成型后,实测孔隙率为42.94%,无悬垂面的内壁壁厚误差≤0.06mm,达到了较好的超轻结构控制效果。     

Research on the forming process of three-dimensional metal parts fabricated by laser direct metal forming

To improve the forming quality of parts fabricated by laser direct metal forming (LDMF), the forming process of three-dimensional parts under open-loop LDMF system was studied in this paper. The influencing rule of scanning space on the forming quality was studied, and the optimal scanning space was derived. The software of control system about scanning style is also optimized, and thus, the forming quality of parts is improved. During fabricating three-dimensional parts, uneven heat distribution caused by multi-overlapping is one of the main factors affecting the sidewall forming quality. To solve the uneven heat distribution, the strategy of changing scanning speed was put forward. The influence of the standoff distance on the height of single-trace cladding layer was studied, and it was suggested that uneven surface of parts was caused by instability of process parameters, which could be compensated automatically in the condition of suitable standoff distance in the process of LDMF. Thus a so-called self-regulation effect is reached. Typical multi-overlapped parts with good forming quality are fabricated using the above-mentioned methods.     

Fabrication of macroscopic solid models of three-dimensional microscopic data by selective laser sintering

We discuss and give examples of the use of selective laser sintering to fabricate solid macroscopic models of microscopic specimens that have been imaged with a confocal microscope. The digital image processing necessary to create structurally sound models of both translucent and opaque specimens is presented. The fabricated models offer the ultimate in data visualization since they can be physically handled and manipulated to investigate the shape and features of the specimen. Such a powerful visualization tool is useful in both research and educational environments.     

Process optimization for PA12/MWCNT nanocomposite manufacturing by selective laser sintering

Nanocomposites produced through the addition of carbon nanotubes to a polymeric matrix can improve the material properties. The mobility of the polymer chains is usually affected, and this is also related to the properties. Parts produced with the free-form fabrication process using the selective laser sintering (SLS) technique can be used in different high-performance applications as they do not require expensive tools for their manufacture. A specific field of interest is the aerospace industry which is characterized by a low production volume and the need for materials with a high performance to weight ratio. In this study, the free-form fabrication by SLS of parts made from nanocomposites comprised of polyamide 12 and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was investigated. Specimens were manufactured by SLS to identify the appropriate processing parameters to achieve high mechanical properties for aerospace applications. Laser energy density was adjusted to improve the material density, flexural modulus, and stress at 10 % elongation. Design of experiments was used to identify and quantify the effects of various factors on the mechanical properties. The results obtained showed that there was a limit to the amount of MWCNTs which could be mixed with the polyamide powder to improve the mechanical properties since a higher content affected the laser sintering process.     

316L不锈钢多孔结构的选区激光烧结成型工艺研究

研究了一种新型的制备金属多孔结构技术-选区激光烧结,着重说明该技术的基本原理和工艺过程,并利用此制备技术对316L不锈钢粉末进行了激光烧结制备多孔材料的实验研究.利用SEM分析了316L不锈钢多孔试样的微观孔隙特征,并测定其孔隙率.结果表明,在较高的扫描速率下可获得孔径分布均匀、孔隙贯通性良好的多孔结构;随扫描速率逐渐提高,试样孔隙率和弹性模量呈上升趋势.