Metal Additive Manufacturing Conference - MAMC 2020

In order to create a dense printed part of the right shape and dimensions, it is vital to have both a good understanding of the optimum printing process and powder that exhibits the right behaviour. Many studies have investigated the former, but relatively few have focused on the latter. Furthermore, there is no agreed method for spreading powder for testing or for how that layer should be measured to assess its quality. This presentation will introduce a method by which powder can be spread into a layer of similar thickness and size as is needed for powder bed processes, using similar spreading conditions and commercial, bench-top equipment. A straightforward and repeatable method for quantifying the quality of the layer will also be presented. The metric will then be compared to flowability measurements of the same powders and parts printed from the powders.