Additive manufacturing technologies are constantly evolving, particularly in the area of material and process simulation. New open source software now promises detailed analyses of physical processes during 3D printing. Researchers from various institutions have developed a multiphysics simulation framework that can calculate complex interactions during the printing process. The software is now freely available under an open source license.
The system simulates a variety of physical effects that occur during the additive manufacturing process. These include thermal stresses, material deformations and the fluid mechanics of molten metal or plastic. This simulation solution could provide valuable insights, particularly for industrial applications where precision and reproducibility are crucial. Users have the option of integrating the framework into their own software solutions and developing it further.
A central aspect is the calculation of the particle size distribution within the applied material. This influences not only the mechanical properties of the end product, but also its structural integrity. Furthermore, temperature gradients and the resulting stresses can be analyzed in order to specifically avoid cracking or deformation. This could result in improved printing strategies, particularly for metal-based additive manufacturing processes such as laser powder bed fusion (LPBF).
In addition to industrial users, research institutions could also benefit from the software. The open-source release makes it possible to validate material models more precisely and optimize existing algorithms.
“4C offers unique opportunities for advanced multiphysics simulations,” says Prof. Christian Cyron, one of the project coordinators from the Hereon Institute for Materials Systems Modeling. “I look forward to seeing the significant benefits it now brings to both the academic community and industry following its open source release.”
The software is available via a GitHub platform and can be used under the LGPL license. It offers a modular structure so that it can be flexibly adapted to different 3D printing processes. This opens up new possibilities for the analysis and optimization of additive manufacturing processes.
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