A numerical study on the packing quality of fibre/polymer composite powder for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing

A discrete element model has been developed to simulate the packing process of fibre/polymer composite powder for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing. The geometric shapes of polymer powder particles and fibres are represented by multi-sphere particles and individual cylinders with round ends, respectively. The numerical model can help to understand the flow dynamics of composite powder particles and the formation mechanisms of voids in...