Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionsanlagen und Konstruktionstechnik IPK

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  • Publication
    Automated Tool-Path Generation for Rapid Manufacturing of Additive Manufacturing Directed Energy Deposition Geometries
    ( 2020)
    Biegler, Max
    ;
    Wang, Jiahan
    ;
    Kaiser, Lukas
    ;
    Rethmeier, Michael
    In additive manufacturing (AM) directed energy deposition (DED), parts are built by welding layers of powder or wire feedstock onto a substrate with applications for steel powders in the fields of forging tools, spare parts, and structural components for various industries. For large and bulky parts, the choice of tool-paths influences the build rate, the mechanical performance, and the distortions in a highly geometry-dependent manner. With weld-path lengths in the range of hundreds of meters, a reliable, automated tool-path generation is essential for the usability of DED processes. This contribution presents automated tool-path generation approaches and discusses the results for arbitrary geometries. So-called “zig-zag” and “contour-parallel” processing strategies are investigated and the tool-paths are automatically formatted into machine-readable g-code for experimental validation to build sample geometries. The results are discussed in regard to volume-fill, microstructure, and porosity in dependence of the path planning according to photographs and metallographic cross-sections.
  • Publication
    Heat treatment of SLM-LMD hybrid components
    ( 2019)
    Uhlmann, Eckart
    ;
    Düchting, Jan
    ;
    Petrat, Torsten
    ;
    Graf, Benjamin
    ;
    Rethmeier, Michael
    Additive manufacturing is no longer just used for the production of prototypes but already found its way into the industrial production. However, the fabrication of massive metallic parts with high geometrical complexity is still too time-consuming to be economically viable. The combination of the powder bed-based selective laser melting process (SLM), known for its geometrical freedom and accuracy, and the nozzle-based laser metal deposition process (LMD), known for its high build-up rates, has great potential to reduce the process duration. For the industrial application of the SLM-LMD hybrid process chain it is necessary to investigate the interaction of the processes and its effect on the material properties to guarantee part quality and prevent component failure. Therefore, hybrid components are manufactured and examined before and after the heat treatment regarding the microstructure and the hardness in the SLM-LMD transition zone. The experiments are conducted using the nickel-based alloy Inconel 718.
  • Publication
    Microstructure of Inconel 718 parts with constant mass energy input manufactured with direct energy deposition
    ( 2019)
    Petrat, Torsten
    ;
    Brunner-Schwer, Christian
    ;
    Graf, Benjamin
    ;
    Rethmeier, Michael
    The laser-based direct energy deposition (DED) as a technology for additive manufacturing allows the production of near net shape components. Industrial applications require a stable process to ensure reproducible quality. Instabilities in the manufacturing process can lead to faulty components which do not meet the required properties. The DED process is adjusted by various parameters such as laser power, velocity, powder mass flow and spot diameter, which interact with each other. A frequently used comparative parameter in welding is the energy per unit length and is calculated from the laser power and the velocity in laser welding. The powder per unit length comparative parameter in the DED process has also be considered, because this filler material absorbs energy in addition to the base material. This paper deals with the influence of mass energy as a comparative parameter for determining the properties of additively manufactured parts. The same energy per unit length of 60 J/mm as well as the same powder per unit length of 7.2 mg/mm can be adjusted with different parameter sets. The energy per unit length and the powder per unit length determine the mass energy. The laser power is varied within the experiments between 400 W and 900 W. Energy per unit length and powder per unit length are kept constant by adjusting velocity and powder mass flow. Using the example of Inconel 718, experiments are carried out with the determined parameter sets. In a first step, individual tracks are produced and analyzed by means of micro section. The geometry of the tracks shows differences in height and width. In addition, the increasing laser power leads to a higher dilution of the base material. To determine the suitability of the parameters for additive manufacturing use, the individual tracks are used to build up parts with a square base area of 20×20 mm². An investigation by Archimedean principle shows a higher porosity with lower laser power. By further analysis of the micro sections, at low laser power, connection errors occur between the tracks. The results show that laser power, velocity and powder mass flow must be considered in particular, because a constant mass energy can lead to different geometric as well as microscopic properties.
  • Publication
    3D laser metal deposition: Process steps for additive manufacturing
    ( 2018)
    Graf, Benjamin
    ;
    Marko, Angelina
    ;
    Petrat, Torsten
    ;
    Gumenyuk, Andrey
    ;
    Rethmeier, Michael
    Laser metal deposition (LMD) is an established technology for two-dimensional surface coatings. It offers high deposition rates, high material flexibility, and the possibility to deposit material on existing components. Due to these features, LMD has been increasingly applied for additive manufacturing of 3D structures in recent years. Compared to previous coating applications, additive manufacturing of 3D structures leads to new challenges regarding LMD process knowledge. In this paper, the process steps for LMD as additive manufacturing technology are described. The experiments are conducted using titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V and Inconel 718. Only the LMD nozzle is used to create a shielding gas atmosphere. This ensures the high geometric flexibility needed for additive manufacturing, although issues with the restricted size and quality of the shielding gas atmosphere arise. In the first step, the influence of process parameters on the geometric dimensions of single weld beads is analyzed based on design of experiments. In the second step, a 3D build-up strategy for cylindrical specimen with high dimensional accuracy is described. Process parameters, travel paths, and cooling periods between layers are adjusted. Tensile tests show that mechanical properties in the as-deposited condition are close to wrought material. As practical example, the fir-tree root profile of a turbine blade is manufactured. The feasibility of LMD as additive technology is evaluated based on this component.
  • Publication
    Porosity of LMD manufactured parts analyzed by Archmimedes method and CT
    ( 2018)
    Marko, Angelina
    ;
    Raute, Julius
    ;
    Linaschke, Dorit
    ;
    Graf, Benjamin
    ;
    Rethmeier, Michael
    Pores in additive manufactured metal parts occur due to different reasons and affect the part quality negatively. Few investigations on the origins of porosity are available, especially for Ni-based super alloys. This paper presents a new study to examine the influence of common processing parameters on the formation of pores in parts built by laser metal deposition using Inconel 718 powder. Further, a comparison between the computed tomography (CT) and the Archimedes method was made. The investigation shows that CT is able to identify different kinds of pores and to give further information about their distribution. The identification of some pores as well as their shape can be dependent on the parameter setting of the analysis tool. Due to limited measurement resolution, CT is not able to identify correctly pores with diameters smaller than 0.1 mm, which leads to a false decrease in overall porosity. The applied Archimedes method is unable to differentiate between gas porosity and other kinds of holes like internal cracks or lack of fusion, but it delivered a proper value for overall porosity. The method was able to provide suitable data for the statistical evaluation with design of experiments, which revealed significant parameters on the formation of pores in LMD.
  • Publication
    Laser-plasma-cladding as a hybrid metal deposition-technology applying a SLM-produced copper plasma nozzle
    ( 2018)
    Brunner-Schwer, Christian
    ;
    Kersting, Robert
    ;
    Graf, Benjamin
    ;
    Rethmeier, Michael
    Laser-Metal-Deposition (LMD) and Plasma-Transferred-Arc (PTA) are well known technologies which can be used for cladding purposes. The prime objective in combining LMD and PTA as a Hybrid Metal Deposition-Technology (HMD) is to achieve high deposition rates at low thermal impact. Possible applications are coatings for wear protection or repair welding for components made of steel. The two energy sources (laser and plasma arc) build a joint process zone and are configurated to constitute a stable process at laser powers between 0.4-1 kW (defocused) and plasma currents between 75-200 A. Stainless steel 316L serves as filler material. For this HMD process, a plasma Cu-nozzle is designed and produced by powder bed based Selective Laser Melting. The potential of the HMD technology is investigated and discussed considering existing processes. This paper demonstrates how the interaction of the two energy sources effects the following application-relevant properties: deposition rate, powder efficiency and energy input.
  • Publication
    Embedding electronics into additive manufactured components using laser metal deposition and selective laser melting
    ( 2018)
    Petrat, Torsten
    ;
    Kersting, Robert
    ;
    Graf, Benjamin
    ;
    Rethmeier, Michael
    The paper deals with the integration of a light emitting diode (LED) into an additive manufactured metal component. Selective laser melting (SLM) and laser metal deposition (LMD) are used. The material used is the chrome-nickel steel 316L. The basic component is manufactured by means of SLM and consists of a solid body and an area with grid structure. The solid body includes a duct in the shape of a groove with a recess for the positioning of the power cable. The LED is embedded in the grid structure via an inlet from the solid body. In further processing, the groove is filled with LMD. Two strategies with different parameter combinations were investigated. It shows that a high energy input near the power cable leads to its destruction. By using multiple parameter combinations during the manufacturing process, this destruction can be prevented. There was a comparison of both strategies with regard to the necessary number of tracks and duration of welding time.
  • Publication
    Assessing the predictive capability of numerical additive manufacturing simulations via in-situ distortion measurements on a LMD component during build-up
    ( 2018)
    Biegler, Max
    ;
    Graf, Benjamin
    ;
    Rethmeier, Michael
    Due to rapid, localized heating and cooling, distortions accumulate in additive manufactured laser metal deposition (LMD) components, leading to a loss of dimensional accuracy or even cracking. Numerical welding simulations allow the prediction of these deviations and their optimization before conducting experiments. To assess the viability of the simulation tool for the use in a predictive manner, comprehensive validations with experimental results on the newly-built part need to be conducted. In this contribution, a predictive, mechanical simulation of a thin-walled, curved LMD geometry is shown for a 30-layer sample of 1.4404 stainless steel. The part distortions are determined experimentally via an in-situ digital image correlation measurement using the GOM Aramis system and compared with the simulation results. With this benchmark, the performance of a numerical welding simulation in additive manufacturing is discussed in terms of result accuracy and usability.
  • Publication
    3D laser metal deposition in an additive manufacturing process chain
    ( 2017)
    Graf, Benjamin
    ;
    Gumenyuk, Andrey
    ;
    Rethmeier, Michael
    Laser metal deposition (LMD) is an established technology for two-dimensional surface coatings. It offers high deposition rates, high material flexibility and the possibility to deposit material on existing components. Due to these features, LMD has been increasingly applied for additive manufacturing of 3D structures in recent years. Compared to previous coating applications, additive manufacturing of 3D structures leads to new challenges regarding LMD process knowledge. In this paper, the process chain for LMD as additive manufacturing technology is described. The experiments are conducted using titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V and Inconel 718. Only the LMD nozzle is used to create a shielding gas atmosphere. This ensures high geometric flexibility, although issues with the restricted size and quality of the shielding gas atmosphere arise. In the first step, the influence of process parameters on the geometric dimensions of single weld beads is analysed based on design of experiments and statistical evaluation. The results allow adjusting the weld bead dimensions for the specific component geometry. In the second step, features of a 3D build-up strategy for high dimensional accuracy are discussed. For this purpose, cylindrical specimens consisting of more than 200 layers are built. Welding of multiple layers on top of each other leads to heat accumulation. Consequently, the molten pool is increased and weld bead height and width are changed. Furthermore, cooling times are prolonged. The build-up strategy has to be adjusted to deal with these issues. Process parameters, travel paths and cooling breaks between layers are varied. Temperatures during the deposition process are measured with pyrometer and thermography. The specimens are analysed with metallurgic cross sections, x-ray and tensile test. Tensile tests show that mechanical properties in the as-deposited condition are close to wrought material. The results are used to design guidelines for a LMD build-up strategy for complex components. As reality test, parts of a gas turbine burner and a turbine blade are manufactured according to these build-up strategies. Build-up rate, net-shape and microstructure of these demonstrative components are evaluated. This paper is relevant for industrial or scientific users of LMD, who are interested in the feasibility of this technology for additive manufacturing.
  • Publication
    Application of D-optimum experimental designs in consideration of restrictions for laser metal deposition
    ( 2017)
    Marko, Angelina
    ;
    Graf, Benjamin
    ;
    Gook, Sergej
    ;
    Rethmeier, Michael
    The process of laser metal deposition can be applied in many ways. Mostly, it is relevant to coating, for repair welding and for additive manufacturing. To increase the effectiveness and the productiveness, a good process understanding is necessary. Statistical test planning is effectual and often used for this purpose. For financial and temporal reasons, a restriction of the test space is reasonable. In this case, it is recommended to use a D-optimal experimental design which is practically applied to extend existing test plans or if process limits are known. This paper investigates the applicability of a D-optimum experimental design for the laser metal deposition. The results are compared to the current results of a full factorial test plan. Known restrictions are used for the limitation of the test space. Ti6Al4 is utilized as substrate material and powder. Comparable results of the D-optimal experimental design and of the full factorial test plan can be demonstrated. However, 80 % of time can be saved by the experimental procedure. For this reason, the application of D-optimal experimental design for laser metal deposition is recommend.