Boeing

AM Machine Gas Flow Characterization & Improvements

Gas flow in the metal AM printers is a key process variable. Recirculation and non-uniformity of the gas flow in the printer can be a source of material defects. Using the a mock-up of the EOSM290 printer built by the 2022 capstone team, this student team worked to design & build gas flow devices to reduce the recirculation and non-uniformity within the printer and test them, using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) to characterize the improvements. Students also worked to print and fatigue testing material to demonstrate the impact of gas flow improvements or different gas flow settings. The outcome this student team worked towards is to generate PIV analysis of the baseline gas flow in an EOSM290 printer, design devices to improve the gas flow, and generate PIV analysis of the improvements. Students also worked to analyze materials printed with the improvements and/or different gas flow settings to demonstrate the impact on material properties (fatigue) from gas flow.