PREDICTION OF RESIDUAL DEFORMATIONS IN PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING

Abstract

This study addresses the critical challenge of predicting residual deformations in industrial products manufactured using selective laser sintering (SLS) technology. Residual deformations represent one of the primary factors leading to geometric inaccuracies in SLS-produced parts, directly affecting their functional performance and dimensional precision. The research proposes and validates a novel hypothesis that existing prediction models developed for plastic injection molding can be effectively adapted for SLS applications through appropriate conversion factors. Given the absence of specialized tools for SLS deformation prediction in the current market, this approach leverages the mature capabilities of the SOLIDWORKS Plastics software as an alternative solution. The methodology involves creating finite element models of test components, specifying material properties similar to SLS powders, and simulating thermal conditions that mimic the SLS process. Through a comparative analysis of twelve distinct geometries, a significant correlation between predicted deformations and actual measured deformations was established. This coefficient enables reliable translation between simulation results and actual SLS outcomes. The findings demonstrate that technological compensating deformations can be effectively calculated and applied to original triangulation models, substantially reducing geometric deviations in final products. The research bridges the gap between established injection molding simulation techniques and the rapidly evolving field of additive manufacturing, providing a practical approach to enhance dimensional accuracy without requiring specialized SLS deformation prediction software. This research was developed at the Department of "Integrated Technologies of Mechanical Engineering" named after M. Semko of NTU "KhPI".