Pin Support Mounting for DED Substrate Distortion Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Directed Energy Deposition (DED) processes in additive manufacturing often result in residual stresses and distortion in metal workpieces, particularly in titanium and titanium alloys, due to thermal expansion and contraction, leading to geometric inaccuracies and potential failure.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for DED that involves pre-bending a metallic substrate to form a plastically pre-bent substrate, which is then supported by a mount system with a reduced substrate contact interface to minimize heat transfer and residual stress, thereby reducing distortion and improving material quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If DED process is used to manufacture metal workpieces, then manufacturing freedom and material utilization are improved, but residual stress and distortion increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing freedomVSAvoidgeometric accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is pre-bent to a predetermined curvature before the DED process begins. This preliminary action creates a pre-stressed state that compensates for the thermal stresses and distortion that will occur during additive manufacturing, allowing the workpiece to achieve the desired final geometry despite the inherent distortion tendencies of the DED process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If DED process deposits metal layers, then near-net-shape products are produced, but welding-induced residual stress accumulates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabrication speedVSAvoidresidual stress
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

A mount system with localized support points is used instead of full-surface contact. The support points are strategically positioned to provide necessary mechanical support while minimizing the contact area between the substrate and mounting structure. This reduces the overall residual stress accumulation by limiting the regions where thermal gradients and constraint-induced stresses develop

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stress or pressure

If substrate contact interface is reduced to minimize heat transfer, then residual stress is reduced, but support stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidual stressVSAvoidsupport stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is pre-bent to a predetermined curvature before mounting. This pre-curving creates an inherent geometric constraint that provides stability during the DED process even with minimal contact points. The pre-formed curvature acts as a built-in stabilizing feature that reduces reliance on extensive mechanical support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The approach effectively reduces residual stress and distortion in DED-manufactured products, leading to increased strength, fatigue resistance, and durability, while also improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing material waste.

Implementation Method 1

a mount system with a reduced substrate contact interface to minimize heat transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a thermal source to melt a source of metal into metallic molten material that is deposited on a surface of a base material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 3

a cooling gas jet device to direct a cooling gas to impinge upon the as-solidified material adjacent to the liquid-solid boundary of the liquid molten pool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4341032B1Pin support system, and a method of directed energy deposition for producing a metal workpiece to mitigate distortion
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 NORSK TITANIUM AS
  • EP4341032B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4341032B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP4341032B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~1F

AI summary

The present application relates to a mount system (100) and systems and methods using the mount system (100) for manufacturing objects on a substrate (300), especially titanium and titanium alloy objects, by directed energy deposition. The method includes thermally pre-bending the substrate (300) onto which the object is to be manufactured to form a pre-bent substrate (300), attaching the pre- bent substrate (300) to a jig using the mount system (100) as an underlying support, preheating the substrate (300), and forming the object on the p re-heated, pre-bent substrate (300) using a directed energy deposition technique.