A thermo-mechanical DEM framework for the simulation of selective laser sintering

Resumo

This work presents a simple thermo-mechanical model based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM)
for the rapid simulation of SLS processes. Our approach combines the DEM with lumped heat transfer equations
to describe the various thermal phenomena that may take place when the particles are excited by external heat

sources such as laser beams. We consider the essential ingredients that are relevant to the problem, such as inter-
particle contact and bonding, heat transfer (through conduction, convection and radiation) as well as phase

transformation due to high temperature changes (which may be critical in certain applications). The model is
relatively simple and straightforward to be implemented by engineers and analysts interested in the field, and may
be a useful tool for practical, rapid process simulation, design, and analysis. Numerical examples are provided to
illustrate the practical use of the proposed framework for the simulation of SLS advanced manufacturing processes.