About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium (SFF Symp 2025)
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| Symposium
|
2025 Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium (SFF Symp 2025)
|
| Presentation Title |
A Plug and Play Solution for Improving Optical Cleanliness in Laser Powder Bed Fusion Systems |
| Author(s) |
Daniel D. Borup, Christopher J Elkins, Jorge Mireles, Hector Hugo Estrada, Ryan Wicker |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Hector Hugo Estrada |
| Abstract Scope |
It is widely known that in Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) systems, soot and particulates become deposited on the optical window over time. This requires frequent and time-consuming cleanings to maintain system performance. In the present work, the flow field inside the Aconity MIDI+ LPBF system was studied using Magnetic Resonance Velocimetry (MRV). The results reveal that flow in the build chamber tends to circulate from the build plate towards the optical cavity, which could transport particles and lead to deposition. To mitigate this, a proposed "shielding" component was designed to supply clean flow into the optical cavity. The design was implemented at model scale and the resulting flow measured using MRV; the addition of shielding flow was observed to eliminate recirculation into the optical cavity. This design thus has the potential to reduce the amount of deposition on the optical window, allowing for lower maintenance through less frequent cleaning. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Post-meeting proceedings |