COMING JUNE 2023!

Additive Manufacturing Module

Model the Powder Bed Fusion process with this Add-on Module that has a unified treatment of process parameters and alloy dependent thermophysical properties.

Coming June 2023!

About the Additive Manufacturing Module

The Additive Manufacturing Module is currently in closed-beta testing. It will be available for purchase as an Add-on Module in Thermo-Calc in June of 2023.

The Module is primarily designed for modeling the powder bed fusion process in Additive Manufacturing. Special focus has been to have a unified treatment of alloy dependent material properties and process parameters when solving the multiphysics problem of a moving heat source that melts and solidifies metal powder. The multiphysics simulation involves thermal conduction, fluid flow, evaporation-, radiation- and convective- heat loss.

Additive-Manufacturing-Module-IN625-Thermo-Calc-Software_steady-state

A screenshot of the coming Additive Manufacturing Module showing the results of a steady-state calculation for IN625.

The alloy dependent physical properties such as specific heat, density, thermal conductivity, viscosity, and surface tension of liquid are all calculated from evaporation temperature down to room temperature using the extended SCHEIL calculator and are automatically transferred for use in the Additive Manufacturing Module.

The module has 3 calculation types: Steady-State, Transient, and Transient with heat-source from Steady-State. Steady-State solves the stationary problem for the melt pool given the Process Parameters*. Transient and Transient with heat-source from Steady-State solves the time dependent problem for a single or multi-layer process for given Process Parameters*.

*Process Parameters that Can Be Changed for the Simulation

Scanning speed, layer thickness, scanning pattern, heat source (including power, absorptivity and heat distribution), and base plate temperature

The Additive Manufacturing Module Allows You To Calculate

Evaluation of the following is possible depending on calculation type:

Steady-State

  • Size of melt pool
  • Peak temperature
  • Velocity of fluid flow
  • Property variations thru the melt pool (viscosity, thermal conductivity, density)

Transient and Transient with Heat Source from Steady State

  • Temperature vs. Time response at selected position of the build and how this changes with Process Parameters
  • Connect the above Temperature vs. Time response with Diffusion Module and/or Precipitation Module

Databases

In order to utilize the full capabilities of the module, a thermodynamic and properties database is required that includes the full description of the gas phase, volume, thermal conductivity, and viscosity and surface tension of liquid. A full list of compatible databases will be made available with the release of the Module this summer. 

Availability

The Additive Manufacturing Module will be released in the summer of 2023. To stay informed about the Module, subscribe to our newsletter or contact us to express interest. 

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