Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) simulation

Using SimScale Solid Mechanics / FEA
1

Hello,

I’ve a continuous laser heat source (laser diameter: 25μm, power; 200W) and it’s moving with a speed of 300 mm/s. This laser heat source will melt the solid metal (Steel 316L) [dimensions of the metal bar: 2 * 0.5 * 0.5 mm]. The laser will run only 1mm on the top surface of the metal. The metal will be melted during laser movement. Due to heat loss, it will be solidified. I need to know the thermal gradients, deformations, microstructural changes in the metal.

I’m totally new to this software. If someone needs other information, please let me know. Could you please help me with this?

2

Hi @Fardim1130, thanks for posting and welcome to SimScale! :handshake:

A few points:

  1. SimScale won’t be able to simulate the actual melting of the parts
  2. If you’d like to simulate only the “thermal shock” portion of your study, you’ll need to run a Thermomechanical Analysis
  3. You can simulate the laser moving by setting a heat source via an equation, you can use this project as an example (see surface heat flux boundary condition)

Cheers
Igor