Mengqi Yuan, Timothy T Diller, David Bourell and Joseph Beaman
The purpose of this paper is to acquire thermal conductivities of both fresh and preheated polyamide 12 powder under various conditions to provide a basis for effective and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to acquire thermal conductivities of both fresh and preheated polyamide 12 powder under various conditions to provide a basis for effective and accurate control during the laser sintering (LS) process.
Design/methodology/approach
A Hot Disk® TPS 500 thermal measurement system using a transient plane source (TPS) technology was employed for thermal conductivity measurements. Polyamide 12 powder was packed at different densities, and different carrier gases were used. Tests were also performed on fully dense laser sintered polyamide 12 to establish a baseline.
Findings
Polyamide 12 powder thermal conductivity varies with packing density and temperature, which is approximately one-third bulk form thermal conductivity. Inter-particle bonding is the primary factor influencing polyamide 12 thermal conductivity.
Research limitations/implications
Limited ranges of density were tested, and the carrier gas needed carefully control to prevent powder oxidation. Thermal properties obtained were not tested in the LS process.
Originality/value
This experimental result could be used to enhance thermal control during the LS process.
Details
Keywords
Timothy T Diller, Mengqi Yuan, David L. Bourell and Joseph J. Beaman
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the bulk energy transport processes in the build chamber environment before and during laser sintering (LS) to provide a basis for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the bulk energy transport processes in the build chamber environment before and during laser sintering (LS) to provide a basis for effective and accurate thermal control for the LS process. This leads to improved mechanical properties and geometrical tolerances for LS products and may be applied to optimize operation cycle times for the LS process.
Design/methodology/approach
Computational models with two levels of complexity were built to explore the heat transfer mechanisms in the LS process. In a one-dimensional model (1D), the powder performed as a semi-infinite solid and heater flux to the powder surface was modeled with a heater control law. A two-dimensional (2D) fluid/solid finite element model of the build chamber and powder bins provided insight into the thermal processes in the build chamber.
Findings
Numerical 1D simulations were verified with measurements from sensors embedded in the build chamber powder bed. Using a 2D model, computed powder surface temperatures during the warm up and build phases were verified with an infrared camera. Convective currents in the build chamber and non-uniformities in the distribution of temperature over the radiant heater surface were found to be substantial contributors to non-uniformities in the powder bed surface temperature.
Research limitations/implications
Limited heat sources were analyzed. No three-dimensional model was built. Assumptions to decrease the part bed temperature difference were not tested.
Originality/value
These simulation and experimental results may be used to enhance thermal control and operation efficiency during the LS process and to improve LS product mechanical properties.
Details
Keywords
Maxine Berg, Timothy Davies, Meike Fellinger, Felicia Gottmann, Hanna Hodacs and Chris Nierstrasz
Our research is about the trade in material goods from Asia to Europe over this period, and its impact on Europe’s consumer and industrial cultures. It entails a comparative study…
Abstract
Our research is about the trade in material goods from Asia to Europe over this period, and its impact on Europe’s consumer and industrial cultures. It entails a comparative study of Europe’s East India Companies and the private trade from Asia over the period. The commodities trade was heavily dependent on private trade. The historiography to date has left a blind spot in this area, concentrating instead on corruption and malfeasance. Taking a global history approach we investigate the trade in specific consumer goods in many qualities and varieties that linked merchant communities and stimulated information flows. We set out how private trade functioned alongside and in connection with the various European East India companies; we investigate how this changed over time, how it drew on the Company infrastructure, and how it took the risks and developed new and niche markets for specific Asian commodities that the Companies could not sustain.