Simulation of Geometry and Heat Transfer in a Thin Wall Produced by Direct Laser Powder Deposition

Abstract

A three dimensional model for direct laser powder deposition process is developed to simulate the geometry and the thermal field in building a single-bead wall (thin-wall). This model was employed using the Fluent commercial code to which several modules were appended (User Defined Functions UDF). The temperature distribution, the geometrical features of the generated structure, and thermal cycles have been carried out. We show that the results analysis can provide guidance for the process parameter selection in LPD. , and develop a base for further residual stress analysis.