scholarly journals A Survey of Modeling of Lattice Structures Fabricated by Additive Manufacturing

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoying Dong ◽  
Yunlong Tang ◽  
Yaoyao Fiona Zhao

The lattice structure is a type of cellular material with trusslike frames which can be optimized for specific loading conditions. The fabrication of its intricate architecture is restricted by traditional manufacturing technologies. However, additive manufacturing (AM) enables the fabrication of complex structures by aggregation of materials in a layer-by-layer fashion, which has unlocked the potential of lattice structures. In the last decade, lattice structures have received considerable research attention focusing on the design, simulation, and fabrication for AM techniques. And different modeling approaches have been proposed to predict the mechanical performance of lattice structures. This review introduces the aspects of modeling of lattice structures and the correlation between them, summarizes the existing modeling approaches for simulation, and discusses the strength and weakness in different simulation methods. This review also summarizes the characteristics of AM in manufacturing cellular materials and discusses their influence on the modeling of lattice structures.

Author(s):  
Stefano Rosso ◽  
Gianpaolo Savio ◽  
Federico Uriati ◽  
Roberto Meneghello ◽  
Gianmaria Concheri

AbstractNowadays, topology optimization and lattice structures are being re-discovered thanks to Additive Manufacturing technologies, that allow to easily produce parts with complex geometries.The primary aim of this work is to provide an original contribution for geometric modeling of conformal lattice structures for both wireframe and mesh models, improving previously presented methods. The secondary aim is to compare the proposed approaches with commercial software solutions on a piston rod as a case study.The central part of the rod undergoes size optimization of conformal lattice structure beams diameters using the proposed methods, and topology optimization using commercial software tool. The optimized lattice is modeled with a NURBS approach and with the novel mesh approach, while the topologically optimized part is manually remodeled to obtain a proper geometry. Results show that the lattice mesh modelling approach has the best performance, resulting in a lightweight structure with smooth surfaces and without sharp edges at nodes, enhancing mechanical properties and fatigue life.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianpaolo Savio ◽  
Roberto Meneghello ◽  
Gianmaria Concheri

Purpose This paper aims to propose a consistent approach to geometric modeling of optimized lattice structures for additive manufacturing technologies. Design/methodology/approach The proposed method applies subdivision surfaces schemes to an automatically defined initial mesh model of an arbitrarily complex lattice structure. The approach has been developed for cubic cells. Considering different aspects, five subdivision schemes have been studied: Mid-Edge, an original scheme proposed by the authors, Doo–Sabin, Catmull–Clark and Bi-Quartic. A generalization to other types of cell has also been proposed. Findings The proposed approach allows to obtain consistent and smooth geometric models of optimized lattice structures, overcoming critical issues on complex models highlighted in literature, such as scalability, robustness and automation. Moreover, no sharp edge is obtained, and consequently, stress concentration is reduced, improving static and fatigue resistance of the whole structure. Originality/value An original and robust method for modeling optimized lattice structures was proposed, allowing to obtain mesh models suitable for additive manufacturing technologies. The method opens new perspectives in the development of specific computer-aided design tools for additive manufacturing, based on mesh modeling and surface subdivision. These approaches and slicing tools are suitable for parallel computation, therefore allowing the implementation of algorithms dedicated to graphics cards.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 231-240
Author(s):  
Laura Wirths ◽  
Matthias Bleckmann ◽  
Kristin Paetzold

AbstractAdditive Manufacturing technologies are based on a layer-by-layer build-up. This offers the possibility to design complex geometries or to integrate functionalities in the part. Nevertheless, limitations given by the manufacturing process apply to the geometric design freedom. These limitations are often unknown due to a lack of knowledge of the cause-effect relationships of the process. Currently, this leads to many iterations until the final part fulfils its functionality. Particularly for small batch sizes, producing the part at the first attempt is very important. In this study, a structured approach to reduce the design iterations is presented. Therefore, the cause-effect relationships are systematically established and analysed in detail. Based on this knowledge, design guidelines can be derived. These guidelines consider process limitations and help to reduce the iterations for the final part production. In order to illustrate the approach, the spare parts production via laser powder bed fusion is used as an example.


Author(s):  
Marinela Peto ◽  
Oscar Aguilar-Rosas ◽  
Erick Erick Ramirez-Cedillo ◽  
Moises Jimenez ◽  
Adriana Hernandez ◽  
...  

Abstract Lattice structures offer great benefits when employed in medical implants for cell attachment and growth (osseointegration), minimization of stress shielding phenomena, and weight reduction. This study is focused on a proof of concept for developing a generic shoulder hemi-prosthesis, from a patient-specific case of a 46 years old male with a tumor on the upper part of his humerus. A personalized biomodel was designed and a lattice structure was integrated in its middle portion, to lighten weight without affecting humerus’ mechanical response. To select the most appropriate lattice structure, three different configurations were initially tested: Tetrahedral Vertex Centroid (TVC), Hexagonal Prism Vertex Centroid (HPVC), and Cubic Diamond (CD). They were fabricated in resin by digital light processing and its mechanical behavior was studied via compression testing and finite element modeling (FEM). The selected structure according to the results was the HPVC, which was integrated in a digital twin of the biomodel to validate its mechanical performance through FEM but substituting the bone material model with a biocompatible titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) suitable for prostheses fabrication. Results of the simulation showed acceptable levels of Von Mises stresses (325 MPa max.), below the elastic limit of the titanium alloys, and a better response (52 MPa max.) in a model with equivalent elastic properties, with stress performance in the same order of magnitude than the showed in bone’s material model.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Del Guercio ◽  
Manuela Galati ◽  
Abdollah Saboori

Abstract Additive Manufacturing processes are considered advanced manufacturing methods. It would be possible to produce complex shape components from a Computer-Aided Design model in a layer-by-layer manner. Lattice structures as one of the complex geometries could attract lots of attention for both medical and industrial applications. In these structures, besides cell size and cell type, the microstructure of lattice structures can play a key role in these structures' mechanical performance. On the other hand, heat treatment has a significant influence on the mechanical properties of the material. Therefore, in this work, the effect of the heat treatments on the microstructure and mechanical behaviour of Ti-6Al-4V lattice structures manufactured by EBM was analyzed. The main mechanical properties were compared with the Ashby and Gibson model. It is very interesting to notice that a more homogeneous failure mode was found for the heat-treated samples. The structures' relative density was the main factor influencing their mechanical performance of the heat-treated samples. It is also found that the heat treatments were able to preserve the stiffness and the compressive strength of the lattice structures. Besides, an increment of both the elongation at failure and the absorbed energy was obtained after the heat treatments. Microstructure analysis of the heat-treated samples confirms the increment of ductility of the heat-treated samples with respect to the as-built one.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mevlüt Yunus Kayacan ◽  
Nihat Yılmaz

Abstract Among additive manufacturing technologies, Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) is considered the most widespread layer-by-layer process. Although the L-PBF, which is also called as SLM method, has many advantages, several challenging problems must be overcome, including part positioning issues. In this study, the effect of part positioning on the microstructure of the part in the L-PBF method was investigated. Five Ti6Al4V samples were printed in different positions on the building platform and investigated with the aid of temperature, porosity, microstructure and hardness evaluations. In this study, martensitic needles were detected within the microstructure of Ti6Al4V samples. Furthermore, some twins were noticed on primary martensitic lines and the agglomeration of β precipitates was observed in vanadium rich areas. The positioning conditions of samples were revealed to have a strong effect on temperature gradients and on the average size of martensitic lines. Besides, different hardness values were attained depending on sample positioning conditions. As a major result, cooling rates were found related to positions of samples and the location of point on the samples. Higher cooling rates and repetitive cooling cycles resulted in microstructures becoming finer and harder.


2018 ◽  
Vol 190 ◽  
pp. 02005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Hirtler ◽  
Angelika Jedynak ◽  
Benjamin Sydow ◽  
Alexander Sviridov ◽  
Markus Bambach

Within the scope of consumer-oriented production, individuality and cost-effectiveness are two essential aspects, which can barely be met by traditional manufacturing technologies. Conventional metal forming techniques are suitable for large batch sizes. If variants or individualized components have to be formed, the unit costs rise due to the inevitable tooling costs. For such applications, additive manufacturing (AM) processes, which do not require tooling, are more suitable. Due to the low production rates and limited build space of AM machines, the manufacturing costs are highly dependent on part size and batch size. Hence, a combination of both manufacturing technologies i.e. conventional metal forming and additive manufacturing seems expedient for a number of applications. The current study develops a process chain combining forming and additive manufacturing. First, a semi-finished product is formed with forming tools of reduced complexity and then finished by additive manufacturing. This research investigates the addition of features using AlSi12 created by Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) on formed EN-AW 6082 preforms. By forming, the strength of the material was increased, while this effect was partly reduced by the heat input of the WAAM process.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-33
Author(s):  
Conner Sharpe ◽  
Carolyn Seepersad

Abstract Advances in additive manufacturing techniques have enabled the production of parts with complex internal geometries. However, the layer-based nature of additive processes often results in mechanical properties that vary based on the orientation of the feature relative to the build plane. Lattice structures have been a popular design application for additive manufacturing due to their potential uses in lightweight structural applications. Many recent works have explored the modeling, design, and fabrication challenges that arise in the multiscale setting of lattice structures. However, there remains a significant challenge in bridging the simplified computational models used in the design process and the more complex properties actually realized in fabrication. This work develops a design approach that captures orientation-dependent material properties that have been observed in metal AM processes while remaining suitable for use in an iterative design process. Exemplar problems are utilized to investigate the potential design changes and performance improvements that can be attained by taking the directional dependence of the manufacturing process into account in the design of lattice structures.


2018 ◽  
Vol 188 ◽  
pp. 03020
Author(s):  
Antonios Tsakiris ◽  
Christos Salpistis ◽  
Athanassios Mihailidis

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has been widely considered a key factor for innovative design. However, the utilization of AM has not been as high as expected, although the technology offers key innovative design capabilities, weight reduction, parts count and assembly consolidation as well as material saving. This low utilization is attributed to the lack of AM understanding, mature CAE/CAM software tools addressing AM specific issues such as design support structure generation and removal, residual stresses, surface quality. In most cases, Design for AM (DfAM) is a crucial requisite for a “Design Right Once” approach. Such an approach is shown in the current study using three parts as example: an arthropod’s leg, a gearshift drum and an electric motor mounting frame. The implementation of geometrical conformal lattice structures and lattices with variable density are discussed. A structured design approach is presented and design dilemmas are solved in terms of a DfAM approach. Primary design optimizations are evaluated. Weight reduction is considered throughout the design and free form surfaces are being used. “Freedom to Design” principle is also portrayed and assembly parts consolidation occurs as a natural process of DfAM in comparison with previous design practices. It is concluded that, even from the primary design phase the design engineer can reveal his creativity because of the absence of constraints set by the traditional manufacturing technologies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1142 ◽  
pp. 245-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil Saigal ◽  
John Tumbleston

In the rapidly growing field of additive manufacturing (AM), the focus in recent years has shifted from prototyping to manufacturing fully functional, ultralight, ultrastiff end-use parts. This research investigates the stress-strain behavior of an octahedral-and octet-truss lattice structured polyacrylate fabricated using Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP) technology based on 3D printing and additive manufacturing processes. Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP) is a breakthrough technology that grows parts instead of printing them layer by layer. Lattice structures such as the octahedral-and octet-truss lattice have recently attracted a lot of attention since they are often structurally more efficient than foams of a similar density made from the same material, and the ease with which these structures can now be produced using 3D printing and additive manufacturing. This research investigates the stress-strain behavior under compression of an octahedral-and octet-truss lattice structured polyacrylate fabricated using CLIP technology


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