An optimal fuzzy decision-making approach for laser powder bed fusion of AlSi10Mg alloy. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ponticelli, Gennaro Salvatore; Giannini, Oliviero; Guarino, Stefano; Horn, Matthias
• Is Part Of: Journal of manufacturing processes. Volume 58(2020)
• Page Start: 712
• Page End: 723
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Laser powder bed fusion -- Fuzzy logic -- Optimisation -- Genetic algorithms -- Decision-making; Production management -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Procestechnologie; Productietechniek; Production -- Gestion -- Informatique -- Périodiques; Fabrication -- Périodiques; Manufacturing processes; Production management -- Data processing; Periodicals; 670.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmapro.2020.08.054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1526-6125

Abstract

Highlights: The Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) ensures high degree in freedom of design. The volumetric energy density has major influence on the ultimate tensile strength. Hardness and roughness suffer from a strong anisotropy. L-PBF is a valid alternative to the traditional die casting process. The proposed fuzzy model is in a very good agreement with the experimental results. Abstract: The present work proposes a fuzzy decision-making approach for the optimisation of the Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) processing of AlSi10Mg alloy. First, a systematic approach based on Design of Experiment was adopted in order to identify and explain the effect of each operational parameter, i.e. volumetric energy density and building orientation, on the response variables, i.e. ultimate tensile strength, hardness and roughness. Then, a combined fuzzy-multi-objective genetic algorithm model was developed and tested in order to find the best input parameters' combination able to satisfy the requirement of the highest mechanical performances. The use of a multi-objective optimisation based on genetic algorithm concerned the computation of optimal fuzzy numbers in order to take into account a precise percentage of experimental data for a given degree of membership, in combination with the smallest uncertainty level. Moreover, from the technological point of view, the proposed experimental results showed a similar and even improved mechanical properties of the alloy, if compared with the die casted one, except for the roughness. Finally, the fuzzy process maps generated allow to select the operational parameters in order to obtain the desired process output, in combination with the lowest uncertainty level, providing, as additional information, how much the accuracy of the model and the process varies by changing those operational parameters.