Experimental and simulation analysis of energy absorption capacity of 3D printed structure design (C)

Abstract

With the advancement of additive manufacturing techniques, 3D printing has emerged as a promising technique to fabricate complex structures with customizable mechanical characteristics. In addition, it can create lightweight structures such as honeycombs, tubes, and lattice structures, which provide great energy absorption capabilities. In this study, the focus will be on truss lattice structure. The lattice structure will go through a finite element analysis to predict the energy absorption capacity. The finer the mesh, the more accurate the results. However, it requires longer computing time for higher accuracy and hence finding the right mesh size is crucial. ANSYS Workbench software is used for compression and impact simulations by looking into the explicit dynamic simulation.

In the FYP report, the model is created in SolidWorks which consists of a base unit cell structure of 5 by 5 by 5mm. The radius of the lattice structure determines the volume percentage. Calculations to determine the radius together with trial and error were done to obtain volume percentages of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%. It is then combined to form a 15 by 15 by 15mm structure and assembled with two plates, one on the top surface and the other at the bottom surface for compression test using ANSYS Workbench. The data will be used for analysis of the energy absorption capabilities.

Hence, the volume of the BCC lattice structure would be looked at and experimented on to see the effects it has on the energy absorption capabilities.