Modeling and simulation of Vibro-isolator Rapid Prototyping using additive manufacturing

Abstract

The emerging concept of mechanical meta-materials has gained increasing attention in recent years, partly due to advances in additive manufacturing techniques (additive manufacturing, 3D printing) that have allowed the fabrication of materials with arbitrarily complex micro / nanostructures. The designed geometry of these structures gives rise to unprecedented or rare mechanical properties that can used to create advanced elements with new, unprecedented functions. This paper presents the method of prototyping a vibro-isolator made of a material that has the properties of storing and disposing of mechanical vibration energy and that can freely be shaped by modern manufacturing techniques. An example of a vibration isolator of the proprietary concept analyzed, using the concept of stepped and adding elements. The method is based on the use of two main tools. Mechanical properties verified by analyzing the frequency and mode of free vibrations of the prototype using the finite element method. The same CAD model of the vibro-isolator prototype produced by 3D printing. The paper presents one of the production techniques, which is 3D printing in SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) technology, and the SolidWorks and Comsol Multhiphysics software used in the CAD / CAE prototyping method.