Data Management Tools for Metallic Additive Manufacturing

ABSTRACT:Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies are bringing significant new capabilities to manufacturing. However, a number of technical challenges remain before these capabilities can be fully exploited. The design, modeling and data management tools developed for subtractive, formative and mold-based manufacturing are not well suited for additive processes that allow pointwise and layerwise specification and control of 3D part fabrication. Specific challenges remain in specifying and designing material variations within a part, in utilizing process model information during the design process, in transmitting design decisions to various commercial AM machines, and in capturing process monitor data for part qualification. Currently there is no single integrated software solution to capture and manage large volumes of complex AM data. 3DSIM will leverage our knowledge, experience, and understanding to synthesize a comprehensive AM data management tool to capture, manage, and manipulate AM data sets. Specifically, 3DSIM proposes to develop a AM data management tool that would bridge the gap between existing CAD tools and proprietary AM planning and processing software, incorporate process modeling and process monitoring data, and further enable the potential of AM technologies.BENEFIT:An effective AM data management strategy will encompass all types and ranges of data that may be required for current and future AM processes. Such a strategy will fundamentally prescribe part shape, and will also provide a format for specifying location-specific properties of the part. The AM data management tool will support the expanding qualification, certification, simulation and design capabilities of AM users.