Research on Deformation Prediction Method of Laser Melting Deposited Large-Sized Parts Based on Inherent Strain Method

In the process of metal parts fabricated by Laser Melting Deposition (LMD), a high temperature gradient will generate due to the instantaneous high laser energy input, which will cause residual stress in the formed part of metal parts, the residual stress will result in defects like warping deformation or even cracking. In this paper, a finite element method based on inherent strain method is proposed to predict the deformation of metal parts fabricated by LMD. Firstly, combing with the birth and death element technology, a local model is established to simulate the layer-by-layer deposition in the LMD forming process, and the values of inherent strain is obtained. Secondly, the obtained inherent strain values is applied to large-sized part layer by layer, and the final deformation of large-sized part is calculated. Based on the proposed method, the efficiency of deformation prediction of large-sized metal parts fabricated by LMD could be effectively improved.