Authors:

Yan Liu (Simtec Soft Sweden AB, Sweden),
Seyed B. Hosseini (Research Institutes of Sweden AB (RISE AB) | Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden),
Mats Persson (Digital Metal, Höganäs AB, Sweden),
Zhenghua Yan (Simtec Soft Sweden AB, Sweden)

Abstract:

Binder jetting process is a prominent 3D printing technology due to its cost-effectiveness and capability to scale up the production in terms of batch sizes. However, the green parts need several post-processes including curing, debinding and sintering to improve the parts’ density and mechanical strength. These post-processes bring many challenges affecting the final part size and dimensional accuracy. To get the best result and desired material properties, precise temperature and atmosphere control are vital during each individual post-processes. This work shows 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) as a powerful tool to obtain such an objective. A full-scale 3D CFD simulation method of a sintering furnace in operation will be presented. This method allows 3D calculation of all the important processes including thermal gradients, gas flowing, thermal radiation, convection and conjugate heat transfer in solids and fluids so that sintering processes of metal binder jetting products can be well simulated.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59499/WP225367863