Calculation methodology of additive manufacturing processed parts

Abstract

Additive manufacturing technologies allow us the creation of 3D objects through layer overlay. This process is faster than other traditional manufacturing processes and it enables the customization of parts. Nowadays Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is the most used techonology. However, due to the nature of the process, resulting parts have complex mechanical behaviour, due to the fact that their properties vary according to the direction or the type of effort, which limits their applications in functional parts. To predict the behavior of a component Finite Element Analysis (FEA) are made. Although, the material models used by these analysis tools are not able to simulate the mechanical behavior of FDM products. Thus, a model supported by a finite element analysis tool, able to predict the behaviour of these materials has been developed. It works in the elastic and plastic region, for any geometry and load case. The model, feed by theoretical behavior models and experimental tensile, compression and shear tests, and implemented in FEA software, allows us to simulate the anisotropy of these materials in an easy and versatile way. The calculation methodology has also been experimentally validated.