JERAJournal of Electronic Research and Application2208-35022208-3510Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty. Ltd.10.26689/jera.v7i1.4916ArticleSimulation Research on the Effect of Spreading Process Parameters on the Quality of Lunar Regolith Powder Bed in Additive Manufacturinghttps://artdesignp.com/journal/JERA/7/1/10.26689/jera.v7i1.4916TianQi,LuoBing2023712023-05-16Lunar surface additive manufacturing with lunar regolith is a key step in in-situ resource utilization. The powder spreading process is the key process, which has a major impact on the quality of the powder bed and the precision of molded parts. In this study, the discrete element method (DEM) was adopted to simulate the powder spreading process with a roller. The three powder bed quality indicators, including the molding layer offset, voidage fraction, and surface roughness, were established. Besides, the influence of the three process parameters, which are roller’s translational speed, rotational speed, and powder spreading layer thickness on the powder bed quality indicators was also analyzed. The results show that with the reduction of the powder spreading layer thickness and the increase of the rotational speed, the offset increased significantly; when the translational speed increased, the offset first increased and then decreased, which resulted in an extreme value; with the increase of the layer thickness and the decrease of the translational speed, the values for voidage fraction and surface roughness significantly reduced. The powder bed quality indicators were adopted as the optimization objective, and the multi-objective parameter optimization was carried out. The predicted optimal powder spreading parameters and powder bed quality indicators were then obtained. Moreover, the optimal values were then verified. This study can provide informative guidance for in-situ manufacturing at the moon in future deep space exploration missions.

Li W, Xu KN, Huang Y, et al., 2020, Numerical Simulation of Spreading Process of Lunar Regolith Simulant by DEM. Journal of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 46(10): 1863–1873.

Tan YQ, Xiao XW, Zhang JT, et al., 2019, Determination of Discrete Element Model Contact Parameters of Nylon Powder at SLS Preheating Temperature and Its Flow Characteristics. Chinese Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, 51(1): 56–63.

Wang L, Yu AB, Li EL, et al., 2021, Effects of Spreader Geometry on Powder Spreading Process in Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing. Powder Technology, 384(2): 211–222.

Han QQ, Gu H, Setchi R, 2019, Discrete Element Simulation of Powder Layer Thickness in Laser Additive Manufacturing. Powder Technology, 352(4): 91–102.

Yao HB, Wang C, Fan N, et al., 2020, Structural Design of Selective Laser Sintering Powder Transmission Device. Applied Laser, 40(1): 47–57.

Isachenkov M, Chugunov S, Akhatov I, et al., 2021, Regolith-Based Additive Manufacturing for Sustainable Development of Lunar Infrastructure: An Overview. Acta Astronautica, 180: 650–678.

Li W, Xu KN, Huang Y, et al., 2019, In-Situ Forming of Lunar Regolith Simulant via Selective Laser Melting. Journal of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 45(10): 1931–1937.

Khalid AA, Alsidqi H, et al., 2009, Strength Properties of JSC-1A Lunar Regolith Simulant. Journal of Geotechnical and Geo-environmental Engineering, 135(5): 673–679.

Liang SM, Wang YB, Wang LX, et al., 2019, Landing Process of Lunar Lander Simulated with Coupled DEM-FEM Model. Chinese Journal of Solid Mechanics, 40(1): 39–50.

Lin CX, Ling DS, Zhong SY, et al., 2017, Experimental Research and Discrete Element Analysis of Shear Strength of Lunar Soil Simulants. Rock and Soil Mechanics, 38(3): 893–901.

Haeri S, Wang Y, Ghita O, et al., 2017, Discrete Element Simulation and Experimental Study of Powder Spreading Process in Additive Manufacturing. Powder Technology, 306: 45–54.

Zhang JT, Tan YQ, Ji CY, et al., 2021, Research on the Effects of Roller-Spreading Parameters for Nylon Powder Spreadability in Additive Manufacturing. Chinese Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, 53(9): 2416–2426.