Additive Manufacturing of WC-Co Specimens with Internal Channels
Most material removal in modern manufacturing is currently performed using tools with indexable inserts. Additive manufacturing allows for the creation of new, experimental insert shapes and, more importantly, internal structures, such as channels for coolant. This study deals with developing a proc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Materials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/11/3907 |
| _version_ | 1797597238854156288 |
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| author | Jindrich Sykora Michael Sedlmajer Tim Schubert Markus Merkel Lubos Kroft Ludmila Kucerova Jan Rehor |
| author_facet | Jindrich Sykora Michael Sedlmajer Tim Schubert Markus Merkel Lubos Kroft Ludmila Kucerova Jan Rehor |
| author_sort | Jindrich Sykora |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Most material removal in modern manufacturing is currently performed using tools with indexable inserts. Additive manufacturing allows for the creation of new, experimental insert shapes and, more importantly, internal structures, such as channels for coolant. This study deals with developing a process for efficiently manufacturing WC-Co specimens with internal coolant channels with a focus on obtaining a suitable microstructure and surface finish, especially inside the channels. The first part of this study covers the development of process parameters to achieve a microstructure without cracks and with minimal porosity. The next stage focuses solely on improving the surface quality of the parts. Special attention is given to the internal channels, where true surface area and surface quality are evaluated, as these characteristics greatly influence coolant flow. To conclude, WC-Co specimens were successfully manufactured and a microstructure with low porosity and no cracks was achieved and an effective parameter set was found. We have developed a process that produces parts with a surface roughness comparable to those of standard SLS manufacturing of steel parts, while still providing a high-quality internal microstructure. The most suitable parameter set resulted in a profile surface roughness of Ra 4 μm and Rz 31 μm and areal surface roughness of Sa 7 µm and Sz 125 µm. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:03:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a8072ceb751a4fd88db95a7257996b85 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1944 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:03:51Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Materials |
| spelling | doaj.art-a8072ceb751a4fd88db95a7257996b852023-11-18T08:07:40ZengMDPI AGMaterials1996-19442023-05-011611390710.3390/ma16113907Additive Manufacturing of WC-Co Specimens with Internal ChannelsJindrich Sykora0Michael Sedlmajer1Tim Schubert2Markus Merkel3Lubos Kroft4Ludmila Kucerova5Jan Rehor6Department of Machining Technology, University of West Bohemia, Univerzitni 8, 301 00 Pilsen, Czech RepublicInstitute for Virtual Product Development, Aalen University of Applied Sciences, Beethovenstr. 1, 73430 Aalen, GermanyMaterials Research Institute Aalen, Aalen University of Applied Science, Beethovenstr. 1, 73430 Aalen, GermanyInstitute for Virtual Product Development, Aalen University of Applied Sciences, Beethovenstr. 1, 73430 Aalen, GermanyDepartment of Machining Technology, University of West Bohemia, Univerzitni 8, 301 00 Pilsen, Czech RepublicDepartment of Materials and Engineering Metallurgy, University of West Bohemia, Univerzitni 8, 301 00 Pilsen, Czech RepublicDepartment of Machining Technology, University of West Bohemia, Univerzitni 8, 301 00 Pilsen, Czech RepublicMost material removal in modern manufacturing is currently performed using tools with indexable inserts. Additive manufacturing allows for the creation of new, experimental insert shapes and, more importantly, internal structures, such as channels for coolant. This study deals with developing a process for efficiently manufacturing WC-Co specimens with internal coolant channels with a focus on obtaining a suitable microstructure and surface finish, especially inside the channels. The first part of this study covers the development of process parameters to achieve a microstructure without cracks and with minimal porosity. The next stage focuses solely on improving the surface quality of the parts. Special attention is given to the internal channels, where true surface area and surface quality are evaluated, as these characteristics greatly influence coolant flow. To conclude, WC-Co specimens were successfully manufactured and a microstructure with low porosity and no cracks was achieved and an effective parameter set was found. We have developed a process that produces parts with a surface roughness comparable to those of standard SLS manufacturing of steel parts, while still providing a high-quality internal microstructure. The most suitable parameter set resulted in a profile surface roughness of Ra 4 μm and Rz 31 μm and areal surface roughness of Sa 7 µm and Sz 125 µm.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/11/39073D printingpreheatingadditive manufacturingefficient coolingtungsten carbideindexable insert |
| spellingShingle | Jindrich Sykora Michael Sedlmajer Tim Schubert Markus Merkel Lubos Kroft Ludmila Kucerova Jan Rehor Additive Manufacturing of WC-Co Specimens with Internal Channels Materials 3D printing preheating additive manufacturing efficient cooling tungsten carbide indexable insert |
| title | Additive Manufacturing of WC-Co Specimens with Internal Channels |
| title_full | Additive Manufacturing of WC-Co Specimens with Internal Channels |
| title_fullStr | Additive Manufacturing of WC-Co Specimens with Internal Channels |
| title_full_unstemmed | Additive Manufacturing of WC-Co Specimens with Internal Channels |
| title_short | Additive Manufacturing of WC-Co Specimens with Internal Channels |
| title_sort | additive manufacturing of wc co specimens with internal channels |
| topic | 3D printing preheating additive manufacturing efficient cooling tungsten carbide indexable insert |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/11/3907 |
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