Additive layer manufacturing methods imply, among other advantages, extensive flexibility
concerning their ability to realize mass customization. Despite various efforts towards process
enhancement, numerous deficiencies concerning part distortion or residual stresses are still
observable. The present work deals with the definition of an efficient process chain for
numerical simulation of indirect metal laser sintering (IMLS), in order to improve
dimensional accuracy. The underlying method is based on investigations of dilatometric behavior of iron based powder, which is integrated into reaction kinetic models and coupled
with a finite element analysis (FEA). Thus, singular process steps, e. g. solid phase sintering,
phase transformations or infiltration, are numerically modelled with adequate accuracy.
Referring to thermomechanical simulation, possibilities for pre-scaling of part geometries are
presented.Mechanical Engineerin
