Mechanical engineering consultancy Mécastyle designs, optimizes and digitally validates the service life of parts produced by additive manufacturing. Relying on their in-house test laboratory, Mécastyle's teams have carried out a complete characterization campaign on 3D Systems' DuraForm®HST. The data obtained will enable structural calculations to be made to estimate the service life of parts produced in this material, in line with manufacturers' specifications.
As Thomas Péan, head of Mécastyle, reminds us, ".Ensuring the reliability and durability of parts produced by additive manufacturing is one of the major challenges facing the adoption of this technology by industry. "While this technique enables parts to be produced in a single stage, with considerable design freedom and a simplified industrial process (small series production at controlled cost, absence of tooling, shorter lead times, optimized consumption of raw materials, etc.), the lack of feedback on part life remains an obstacle to its adoption.
Mecastyle has set up its own test laboratory to provide technical answers to the needs of manufacturers. This tool feeds S-N (Stresses; Number of cycles) databases on additive materials, which can be used to predict part life by structural calculation.
Mecastyle has just completed an initial characterization campaign on 3D Systems' DuraForm HST, a Polyamide 12 filled with 30 % glass fibers (PA 12-30 % FV), SLS process (Selective Laser Sintering). Thanks to the database it has built up on this material, with over 130 specimens tested and 250 million cycles performed, the Nantes-based design office is now the only independent design office capable of designing parts and estimating their fatigue life according to the specifications drawn up by manufacturers.
For Thomas Péan, the choice of this material was a natural one. We decided to work with PA12-30 % FV, because it's a material that's highly prized by manufacturers, and can be adapted to the majority of polymer parts subject to high mechanical stress. Our characteristics enable us to respond quickly and appropriately to our customers' requirements. We contribute to their agility and responsiveness, which are now key factors in all markets. "
This know-how has led CGG www.cgg.com to turn to Mecastyle for the design and assistance with the production of several functional prototypes. " Parts made from Duraform HST have proved extremely resistant and reliable, even under extreme conditions (use in marine environments, submerged parts, tropical waters, numerous impacts). The exceptional results obtained on the prototypes prompted us to manufacture some of the complex pre-production parts in the same material. "says a delighted Mr Cappe of CGG.
Following this successful first test, the test laboratory is starting a second characterization campaign, this time on a metallic material, Inconel 718.
Learn more: www.fabrication-additive.fr