Height Dependent Laser Metal Deposition Process Modeling

Abstract

Laser metal deposition (LMD) is used to construct functional parts in a layer-by-layer fashion. The heat transfer from the melt region to the solid region plays a critical role in the resulting material properties and part geometry. The heat transfer dynamics can change significantly as the number of layers increase, depending on the geometry of the sub layers. However, this effect is not taken into account in previous analytical models, which are only valid for a single layer. This paper develops a layer dependent model of the LMD process for the purpose of designing advanced layer-to-layer controllers. A lumped-parameter model of the melt pool is introduced and then extended to include elements that capture height dependent effects on the melt pool dimensions and temperature. The model dynamically relates the process inputs (laser power, material mass flow rate, and scan speed) to the melt pool dimensions and temperature. A finite element analysis (FEA) is then conducted to determine the effect of scan speed and part height on the solid region temperature gradient at the melt pool solidification boundary. Finally, experimental results demonstrate that the model successfully predicts multilayer phenomenon for two deposits on two different substrates.