Discrete Element Method Study on Spreading Behaviour of Non-spherical Polymeric Powder in Powder Bed Fusion with Blade and Roller Spreaders

The properties of the spread powder layer are key in Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing. Higher packing density and a uniform powder layer are vital for part quality. This study examined the impact of blade-shaped and roller-shaped spreading tools on powder behaviour using the Discrete E...

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Main Authors: Sina Zinatlou Ajabshir, Colin Hare, Diego Barletta, Massimo Poletto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIDIC Servizi S.r.l. 2025-07-01
Series:Chemical Engineering Transactions
Online Access:https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/15382
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author Sina Zinatlou Ajabshir
Colin Hare
Diego Barletta
Massimo Poletto
author_facet Sina Zinatlou Ajabshir
Colin Hare
Diego Barletta
Massimo Poletto
author_sort Sina Zinatlou Ajabshir
collection DOAJ
description The properties of the spread powder layer are key in Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing. Higher packing density and a uniform powder layer are vital for part quality. This study examined the impact of blade-shaped and roller-shaped spreading tools on powder behaviour using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). Switching from a blade to a roller at a spreading speed of 30 mm/s improved the packing fraction by 76% and reduced surface roughness by 16%. The roller-shaped tool produced a more effective initial powder layer with a better packing fraction and a smoother surface finish.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.
record_format Article
series Chemical Engineering Transactions
spelling doaj-art-141ed9fb3e334740baab28a4d7c70ea22025-08-20T02:46:35ZengAIDIC Servizi S.r.l.Chemical Engineering Transactions2283-92162025-07-01117Discrete Element Method Study on Spreading Behaviour of Non-spherical Polymeric Powder in Powder Bed Fusion with Blade and Roller SpreadersSina Zinatlou AjabshirColin HareDiego BarlettaMassimo PolettoThe properties of the spread powder layer are key in Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing. Higher packing density and a uniform powder layer are vital for part quality. This study examined the impact of blade-shaped and roller-shaped spreading tools on powder behaviour using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). Switching from a blade to a roller at a spreading speed of 30 mm/s improved the packing fraction by 76% and reduced surface roughness by 16%. The roller-shaped tool produced a more effective initial powder layer with a better packing fraction and a smoother surface finish.https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/15382
spellingShingle Sina Zinatlou Ajabshir
Colin Hare
Diego Barletta
Massimo Poletto
Discrete Element Method Study on Spreading Behaviour of Non-spherical Polymeric Powder in Powder Bed Fusion with Blade and Roller Spreaders
Chemical Engineering Transactions
title Discrete Element Method Study on Spreading Behaviour of Non-spherical Polymeric Powder in Powder Bed Fusion with Blade and Roller Spreaders
title_full Discrete Element Method Study on Spreading Behaviour of Non-spherical Polymeric Powder in Powder Bed Fusion with Blade and Roller Spreaders
title_fullStr Discrete Element Method Study on Spreading Behaviour of Non-spherical Polymeric Powder in Powder Bed Fusion with Blade and Roller Spreaders
title_full_unstemmed Discrete Element Method Study on Spreading Behaviour of Non-spherical Polymeric Powder in Powder Bed Fusion with Blade and Roller Spreaders
title_short Discrete Element Method Study on Spreading Behaviour of Non-spherical Polymeric Powder in Powder Bed Fusion with Blade and Roller Spreaders
title_sort discrete element method study on spreading behaviour of non spherical polymeric powder in powder bed fusion with blade and roller spreaders
url https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/15382
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