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Toolpaths for additive manufacturing of functionally graded materials (FGM) parts

Pierre Muller (Institut de Recherche en Communications et Cybernetique de Nantes (UMR CNRS 6597), Ecole Centrale of Nantes, Nantes, France)
Jean-Yves Hascoet (Institut de Recherche en Communications et Cybernetique de Nantes (UMR CNRS 6597), Ecole Centrale of Nantes, Nantes, France)
Pascal Mognol (Institut de Recherche en Communications et Cybernetique de Nantes (UMR CNRS 6597), Ecole Centrale of Nantes, Nantes, France)

Rapid Prototyping Journal

ISSN: 1355-2546

Article publication date: 20 October 2014

1619

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an evaluation of toolpaths for additive manufacturing of functionally graded materials (FGM) parts to ensure the manufacturing of parts in compliance with the desired material distribution. The selection of an appropriate path strategy is critical when manufacturing FGM parts.

Design/methodology/approach

The selection of a path strategy is based on a process modeling and an additive laser melting (ALM) system control. To do that, some path strategies are selected, simulated and compared.

Findings

The comparison of some paths strategies was applied on a study case from the biomedical field. Test-parts were manufactured and analyzed. Results show a good correlation between the simulated and the deposited material distributions. The evaluation of toolpaths based on the process modeling and the system control was validated.

Originality/value

Nowadays, FGM parts manufactured with ALM processes are not functional. To move from these samples to functional parts, it is necessary to have a global approach of the manufacturing procedure centered on the path planning. Few methodologies of path planning are adapted to FGM parts but are still limited.

Keywords

Citation

Muller, P., Hascoet, J.-Y. and Mognol, P. (2014), "Toolpaths for additive manufacturing of functionally graded materials (FGM) parts", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 20 No. 6, pp. 511-522. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-01-2013-0011

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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