In recent years, metallic lattice structures produced by means of the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process have attracted a growing interest in the scientific community for their valuable stiffness/weight ratio and, consequently, wide range of possible applications. Indeed, additive manufacturing techniques are inherently capable to produce structural configuration with any geometric complexity fulfilling any topological optimization requirement, if compared to the common subtractive production techniques. There are many application fields for lattice structures, such as recoverable lattices, plate lattices or hierarchical lattice structures for applications ranging from heat exchangers, medical implants or acoustic dampers. In many applications, metal lightweight lattice structures are joined with carbon fibers reinforced polymers in order to improve the overall mechanical performances and decrease the weight of structural components. The research activity presented here is focused on the investigation of the feasibility and the effectiveness of hybrid metal/composite lattice structures shock absorbers manufactured by additive techniques. Firstly, an extensive modelling and analysis activity has been carried out focused on the assessment of different configurations of Unit Cells within the commercial FEM code Abaqus, by adopting a simplified Fem model with beam and shell elements formulation The Unit Cells, has been designed as a solid base model, represented by a metallic lattice Repetitive Volume Element and composite skins. Different configurations of metallic lattice structures with and without composite skins have been investigated in order to evaluate their energy absorbing capability under a 6J impact analysis. Once selected the best configuration in terms of energy absorption capability, a refined numerical model with 3D elements formulation and by discretising the composite at ply level has been defined. The mechanical behaviour under impact and the energy absorbing capability have been assessed in order to evaluate the applicability of this hybrid composite panels as multipurpose shock absorber.
A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON ADDITIVE MANUFACTURED HYBRID METAL/COMPOSITE SHOCK ABSORBER PANELS
Valerio Acanfora;Andrea Sellitto;Angela Russo;Aniello Riccio
2020
Abstract
In recent years, metallic lattice structures produced by means of the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process have attracted a growing interest in the scientific community for their valuable stiffness/weight ratio and, consequently, wide range of possible applications. Indeed, additive manufacturing techniques are inherently capable to produce structural configuration with any geometric complexity fulfilling any topological optimization requirement, if compared to the common subtractive production techniques. There are many application fields for lattice structures, such as recoverable lattices, plate lattices or hierarchical lattice structures for applications ranging from heat exchangers, medical implants or acoustic dampers. In many applications, metal lightweight lattice structures are joined with carbon fibers reinforced polymers in order to improve the overall mechanical performances and decrease the weight of structural components. The research activity presented here is focused on the investigation of the feasibility and the effectiveness of hybrid metal/composite lattice structures shock absorbers manufactured by additive techniques. Firstly, an extensive modelling and analysis activity has been carried out focused on the assessment of different configurations of Unit Cells within the commercial FEM code Abaqus, by adopting a simplified Fem model with beam and shell elements formulation The Unit Cells, has been designed as a solid base model, represented by a metallic lattice Repetitive Volume Element and composite skins. Different configurations of metallic lattice structures with and without composite skins have been investigated in order to evaluate their energy absorbing capability under a 6J impact analysis. Once selected the best configuration in terms of energy absorption capability, a refined numerical model with 3D elements formulation and by discretising the composite at ply level has been defined. The mechanical behaviour under impact and the energy absorbing capability have been assessed in order to evaluate the applicability of this hybrid composite panels as multipurpose shock absorber.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
