Vibrational Microfeeding of Polymer and Metal Powders for Locally Graded Properties in Powder-Based Additive Manufacturing

Subject of this work is the contact mechanical properties and flowability of polymer and metal powders when they are dispensed on the surface of a powder bed for use in laser-based powder bed fusion in additive manufacturing. Generating local part properties in metal as well as polymer-based powder bed fusion processes is of high interest, so an approach is made to locally add additives by a vibrational microfeeding system for metal and polymer powders. To realize a controlled powder discharge, the behavior of additives, which are dropped on a surface and on a powder bed is analyzed. Influencing factors for mass flow of the powders will be excitation frequency, excitation amplitude and capillary diameter on the side of experimental setup as well as particle size distribution and physical properties on the material side.