Learning Forum

[Angelina Mom]

I have a question regarding laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) simulation using Ansys Additive Suite. Can we use a powder bed as the input and get the following results?

 

1. Surface topography and temperature profile of the powder bed after scanning

2. 3D map of pore distribution

3. Gran boundaries

[John Doyle]

Please Refer to the LBPF Simulation Guide. 

The goal of AM Process Simulation in Workbench Additive is to predict the macro-level distortions and stresses in parts to prevent build failures and provide trend data for improving designs for additive manufacturing including part orientation and support placement and sizing.

The simulation is not meant to provide detailed thermal or structural results needed for prediction of micro-level process phenomena (that is, microstructure). The simulation will also not provide detailed guidance on the setting of the machine’s process parameters. Our complementary offerings of Ansys Additive Print and Additive Science (within Additive Suite) are the products to use to achieve those goals.

For porosity and grain boundary predictions on a microscopic level, please refer to the Additive Print and Science Users Guide.

[Angelina Mom]

Then do additive print and science have the capabilities to support LBPF?  

[John Doyle]

Additive Print and WB-Additive are both capable of simulating a lumped layered Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) printing process at the macroscopic part level.  They are different tools with different intended enduser.  Additive Print is intended for use by 3D Print machine operators trying to get existing parts printed successfully.  WB-Additive is more intended for FEA folks designing parts from scratch with 3D Printing in mind.  So there is some overlap with what results these two products offer.

Additive Science is a tool intended to help calibrate 3D Print machine settings (laser power, laser diameter, laser speed, hatch spacing, etc.), to help understand how these inputs influence the quality of the melt pool at the microscopic level.  Additive Science can help users arrive at optimal machine settings for use in the macroscopic simulations done in WB- Additive or Additive Print.