FEA simulation of 3D-Printed Parts
This idea is birthed when I asked myself if there are efficient simulation tools specifically designed for 3D-Printed parts. Because there is no doubt of assumption that they have entirely different mechanical properties due to the manufauring process involed.
Why 3D-Printed Parts needs specialized simulation tools:
While general Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software can be used, dedicated additive manufacturing (AM) software is far superior for this specific purpose because it understands:
= Layer-by-layer material addition rather than assuming the entire part exists at once.
= Directional material properties (anisotropy), especially for fiber-reinforced filaments.
= Thermal history of the part throughout the build.
= Structural integrity as it relates to directional oading due to layer-by-layer orientation of the part(s)
These is particularly vital for metal 3D printing, where material costs are high and failure is expensive!
Stages Involved:
- Geometry or model is prepared in a CAD software
- Geometry is either sliced using an external desired slicer or intended to be sliced using Simlayer slicer
- Geometry is imported into SimsLayer
- Geometry is sliced if not already
- GNN optimizes layers
- Preprocessing is carried out
- Meshing
- GNN optimizes mesh
- FEA
- GNN suggests optimization for geometry