Conformal Cooling Channel
摘要
A conformal cooling channel made in a part allows it to cool uniformly, which increases its efficiency and reduces energy consumption. For example, if the part is a mold, its production cycle and quality will increase. The channel lies equidistant from a cavity contour, which tries uniform cavity cooling due to the proximity of the channel to the contour. Laser powder bed fusion is used to make complex channels. It makes a channel by melting an area outside the channel contour. Melting gives rise to the diameter of the channel, while the unprocessed area inside the contour gives the hollowness of the channel. A big or narrow channel diameter is made by leaving, respectively, the big or narrow area unprocessed. To fabricate a narrow channel, a beam of defined spot size is required to make a small melt pool. The effect of the spot size on a layer thickness at a certain scan speed is required to make an unmelted line. If the line is narrow, the surrounding area will have low surface roughness. Otherwise, the channel will become narrower, which will not facilitate powder being drained out. This channel furnishes a lower finish and accuracy when compared with that made by drilling.