Design of lattice support structures to reduce thermal deformation: a simulation study for selective laser melting
摘要
Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a manufacturing technique for constructing complex 3D geometries, often used in producing artificial joint implants due to its ability to create intricate parts while minimizing material waste. Lattice structures, known for maintaining structural rigidity while reducing material shortage, are highly compatible with SLM. They also have the potential as support structures to reduce thermal deformation in components. However, current research has primarily focused on the mechanical properties of lattice structures, with limited exploration of its potential for thermal conductivity. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method to evaluate the thermal performance of lattice structures as a support for parts manufactured by SLM. We introduce a One-lattice sandwich method to simulate the thermal behavior of lattice structures, proposing metrics such as temperature drop time and maximum heat flux to quantify thermal performance. Finally, this study investigates the influence of lattice support design parameters on the thermal behavior of SLM-fabricated femoral components. By integrating the Design of Experiments (DOE) approach with Response Surface Methodology (RSM), the effects of lattice parameters on the thermal accuracy of the components were systematically analyzed. The results reveal that strut diameter and cell size are the dominant factors governing thermal displacement in SLM femoral structures.