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What is the current state of additive manufacturing ?

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Technology and Science of Additive Manufacturing Continues to Advance

Over the next 5-10 years, AM will become the standard manufacturing technology. Innovative designs enabled by generative design methods based on AI algorithms and the use of new materials will become common when removed from the constraints of traditional manufacturing processes. Additionally, these designs will be part of a continuously improving process of production efficiency and optimization. AM and its complementary technologies will allow for more consolidation of individual parts, and a more streamlined manufacturing process overall, with these designs requiring less assembly time and reduced maintenance in the field.

One area where AM is evolving significantly is in direct manufacturing. This where, due to the advancement of next generation of 3D printing machines, AM is beginning to be adopted for more volume production capacities. As more companies produce printed parts in larger volumes, and at scale, the price points for additive technology and materials continues to drop. Moreover, as printing techniques and part resolution continuously improve, and newly developed “digitally” materials consisting of tunable micro-structures emerge, this will usher in a new dimension of applied material science and advanced production processes.

Generative Design is Changing the Additive Manufacturing Process

Generative Design is an iterative process that generates multiple design outputs that meet predefined constraints and requirements for fit, form, and function. One of the primary benefits of generative design is that it is a fast method for exploring multiple design possibilities. For example, this design technique allows many hundreds, if not thousands, of possible solutions to be evaluated in a relatively short timeframe.

This is possible, because generative design is based on AI. Using machine learning techniques and algorithms developed for iterative pattern matching, many variations of designs can be developed based on a primary set of constraints, allowing the designer to evaluate many designs to find the optimal one that fits the requirements. This generative design process is made to order for AM. Engineers can focus on a variety of constraints, such light-weighting, optimal strength to weight ratio, fit, and a number of functional requirements that best meet the design requirements.

Today’s AM technology, such as with leading PLM solution providers, is leading the way with comprehensive generative design solutions developed specifically for the AM process, from part design to manufacturing. These AM solutions approach the AM process from a lifecycle perspective, starting with the specific part requirements for specific industries, such as automotive, aerospace & defense, medical equipment, and even consumer goods. The lifecycle begins with discovering the right material and the application with in-silico materials simulation engineering to find the optimal compound. Next is function-driven generative design, followed by the manufacturing process definition and production planning of the part.

Advanced Simulation Technology Validates AM Produced Parts

Physics-based simulations of the additive process are crucial in assessing the finished part’s overall quality and conformance to design requirements. Much of the attention has been focused on powder bed metal fusion processes, as industries, primarily A&D and medical equipment, work to bring certified parts to market. These simulation models are primarily based on finite element analysis methods and rely on predefined libraries (based on scanning strategies) or thermal strains that function as inputs to relatively fast computations of the part distortions. These simulation methods are reasonably simple to use and do not require the user to have deep knowledge in the physics of the simulation solutions. Today’s market leaders in PLM and CAE solutions typically offer comprehensive simulation platforms that include modeling specific to AM design and manufacturing processes.

Another approach relies on a fully thermo-mechanical solution to the simulation process. Scanning technologies can be used in thermo models to predict the thermal profile as the part is being built, layer by layer. The thermal profiles then drive the mechanical simulations (finite element analysis) for a more accurate prediction of part distortions. The primary advantage of this method is that the fidelity of the simulation can be accurately controlled. Running very accurate simulations in the microsecond level can capture the physics behind the manufacturing process down to melt-pool levels, phase changes, solidification, and microstructure evolution.

Multiple Machines, Processes, and Materials Define the AM Environment Today

AM has witnessed very strong growth, especially as its focus has shifted from prototypes to functional production parts with an increasing capability to scale and increase volume. However, there remain in place a set of critical production challenges for the industry, including build repeatability, process stability, yield rates, and the ability to deploy in-service. More advanced digital tools are helping to resolve some of these issues: generative design, functional lattices, build planning hardware integration, thermal distortions, and shape compensation. Some of these tools are very specialized for certain tasks while relying on others to complete the entire additive process.

The AM environment today has expanded significantly in terms of the multiple techniques and technologies that have been established to meet the range of industry requirements and material needs. In a powder bed fabrication process, for example, thermal energy selectively fuses regions of a powder bed. Conversely, in a binder jet process, a liquid bonding agent is deposited to join the material powder. In a direct energy deposition process, a nozzle that is mounted on a multi-axis arm deposits molten material, and in photo polymerization, liquid photopolymer is selectively cured by light-activated polymerization. While each process family uses a different raw material supply form (e.g., powder, wire feed, liquid resin, ink), each process family manufactures parts consisting of different material types. For example, powder bed fabrication produces metallic and plastic parts; binder jetting produces metallic, plastic, and ceramic parts; material extrusion produces plastic and composite. AM will continue to expand production and fabrication of parts across multiple industries using a full range of technologies and science.

“Reprinted with permission, original blog was posted here”. You may also visit here for more such insights on the digital transformation of industry.

For further information or to provide feedback on this article, please contact RPaira@arcweb.com

About the Author:

DICK SLANSKY:

Dick’s responsibilities at ARC include directing the research and consulting in the areas of PLM (CAD/CAM/CAE), engineering design tools for both discrete and process industries, Industrial IoT, Advanced Analytics for Production Systems, Digital Twin, Virtual Simulation for Product and Production.

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